Car idling ban in school zones, carparks planned by Sydney council meets mixed reaction

Parents could be fined for not turning off their cars during school pick-up runs under a council plan to crackdown on pollution from vehicles waiting outside school gates. Have your say in our poll.

Car idling could be an offence as part of a council plan to improve air quality.

Parents could be fined for not turning off their cars during school pick-up runs under a council plan to crackdown on pollution from vehicles idling outside school gates.

Lane Cove Council is calling on the state government to introduce a new traffic offence that would ban the idling of a motor vehicle of engines for any period longer than two minutes.

The move has been backed by a majority of councillors amid fears exhaust from idling cars was causing unnecessary pollution and damaging children's health.

But critics have labelled the move an “overkill” that could result in parents coping fines while waiting to pick up their children during the busy pick-up periods.

Lane Cove mayor Andrew Zbik, who has supported the ban, said the anti-idling legislation could help students, parents and carers breathe easier outside school gates.

Car idling has come under scrutiny from Lane Cove Council,

Mr Zbik also wants the laws extended to public parking areas including underground carparks.

“It’s an issue particularly in summer and winter when people are in their cars waiting to pick up kids and they’re leaving their air conditioner or heater running,” he said.

Lane Cove Mayor Andrew Zbik.

“In the worst case scenario you may cop a fine from a ranger but if everyone was aware it’s an offence I think the majority would follow the rules.

“Even if you have 50 per cent who currently idle not idle, it would be a big improvement.

“We know overall we have to reduce our emissions and hopefully the uptake of electric cars it will be less of an issue. Until then, it will still be a problem.”

The move has met a mixed reaction in the community with supporters spruiking the health and environmental benefits, while critics have questioned how a blanket ban could be enforced.

Lane Cove parent Paul Clearly – who supported the idea – said he’s seen cars waiting up to 40 minutes during school pick up and drop off runs.

A photo of the pick-up run outside Lane Cove West Public School.

“I’ve seen line-ups of cars that sit there with engines running – we’re talking big engines – and it’s creating unnecessary pollution,” he said.

“People want to sit in their cars with their phones and air-conditioning running. Even on days when the temperature is mild people still have their cars running.

“I think as a society we’ve become soft. In the old days you’d get out of your car and talk to other parents but people don’t do that anymore.”

Lane Cove Public School P & C president Caleb Taylor believes the proposed ban had merit but said an education campaign would be needed to ensure its effectiveness.

“Getting emissions down does have merit, especially for young children with developing lungs,” he said.

“But you’d need to have a strong community messaging before fines are issued to make sure everyone knows what the rules are”.

Lane Cove councillor Scott Bennison was critical of the move – describing the proposed ban as an “overkill”.

The council has called on the State Government to enact the ban.

“We’re going to have parents in 40 degree heat with their air-conditioning running waiting to pick their kids up who are suddenly going to get a fine,” he said.

“The ban is suggesting they turn the aircon off and sit in the heat. They’re all going to die from heat exhaustion.

“I really oppose big government interfering with people’s lives – it’s an overkill.”

The council has written to NSW Roads Minister John Graham calling for relevant state legislation and regulations to be amended to create the new traffic offence.

Mr Graham referred questions to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

In a statement, an EPA spokesman said the department “appreciates the concerns being raised by the council and the community” and would “work with both to further understand the issues being raised”.

“The EPA recognises there are a range of adverse impacts from idling vehicles, including noise pollution, reduction in local air quality, air emissions including greenhouse gas emissions, and odour,” he said.

“We work with Transport for NSW and the Commonwealth to improve air pollution laws and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

The council is also planning to conduct a community educational program, highlighting the air pollution and CO2 emissions produced during idling.

It will also explore options to implement signage requesting drivers not leave their car idling during drop-off/pick-up times.