A congestion charge proposed for Perth’s CBD would be ineffective because Western Australia’s affluence meant motorists were unlikely to change their driving habits, according to the RAC.
The Committee for Economic Development of Australia says a congestion charge needs to be implemented to curb increasing gridlock, which is forecast to cost the city $2.1 billion by 2020 – up from $900 million in 2005.
CEDA chief economist Nathan Taylor said congestion would ultimately undermine Perth’s community support for ongoing economic and demographic expansion if action is not taken.
He has advocated implementing a peak period charge on motorists using entry points such as the Narrows Bridge, the Swan River and the Mitchell Freeway as barriers where activity centres and public transport hubs could be established.
Mr Taylor’s view was that such a model would encourage people who did not need to keep conventional working hours to alter their day to avoid being charged at the peak time.
But the RAC’s executive general manager of advocacy and member benefits Patrick Walker said the attitude of Perth motorists could see them simply disregard the charge.
“The Perth CBD already has some of the highest parking fees in the world and this hasn’t helped reduce congestion,” Mr Walker said.
“There is a question as to whether the affluence we currently enjoy from the resources sector makes us less responsive to price signals.”
Mr Walker also raised the point that many of the vehicles going in and out of city did not have the CBD as their destination, but were forced to go via the city as they travelled between north and south, east and west.
He advocated a broader reform of motoring taxes before a congestion charge was seriously considered.
“Unfortunately governments have been unwilling to go down this path as they realise they will need to give up significant amounts of revenue,” he said.
“The federal government collects about $2 billion of car-related taxes in Western Australia each year but only 33 cents in every dollar of revenue is returned to the state for spending on roads.”
He said the difference between motoring revenue collected and the amount spent on WA roads was around $1 billion, and “that would make a very handy contribution to either road or public transport projects in WA without having to resort to additional taxes”.
