Why Lane Cove Council’s plan for car free Sunday initiative is dividing opinions

A Sydney council is planning to hold a ‘car-free day’ to cut carbon emissions but critics say it could impact sporting groups and leave vulnerable residents high and dry.

The local government area is home to major roads including the Epping Rd corridor.

Concerns over carbon emissions have prompted a north shore council to plan a ‘car-free day’ on hundreds of local roads.

Lane Cove councillors have voiced mixed opinions on a new car-free initiative planned in September this year that supporters say would promote a “clean environment”.

The event is aimed at encouraging residents in the area to leave their cars at home and instead catch public transport, ride a bicycle, join a carpool or walk.

The proposal is based on similar car-free days held in other cities such as Paris and Jakarta and has been backed by the Lane Cove Sustainability Action Group.

But Lane Cove Liberal councillor Scott Bennison has hit out at the proposal, saying it could impact the ability for residents to move around on weekends including people with disabilities and families transporting kids to Sunday sport events.

Alternative transport to cars such as cycling would be encouraged on the day.

“How do we deal with parents who have children who play sport – is there a suggestion they get on push bikes and carry all their equipment in backpacks?” he said.

“It could also impact the vulnerable and elderly people who shop on a Sunday, are they also expected to use a push bike or are you going to have a bus drive around Lane Cove picking up all the elderly? Are we also banning taxis from driving through the local government area?

The proposed event would be held this September.

“The problem with all these leftie tokenistic gestures is there isn’t the thought about the practicalities for people who aren’t as privileged as people putting forward this stuff.

“Who’s going to do it anyway – only the loony lefties that support these kinds of feel good gestures will do it.”

Mr Bennison also raised concerns over allocating council resources to the car free initiative.

“The hours spent into generating this report could be used to fix footpaths and potholes because ultimately if the resources for the council are used for stuff like this they’re not doing what they’re supposed to do,” he said. “How does producing this report benefit one single person who pays rates?”

Sjirk Bangma, a member of the Lane Cove Sustainable Action Group, believed the event would have healthy outcomes for locals.

“It would be a day when we promote alternative transport such as walking, car sharing, and public transport,” he said.

“The day would be filled with street theatre, perhaps a community breakfast, a day when pedestrians rather than cars dominate the streets.

“Cities like Copenhagen and Paris are moving to a whole or part car free lifestyle thereby creating a calm, healthy and safe environment.

Sjirk Bangma (right) has backed the proposal.

A photo of a car free day in South Korean capital Seoul, which observes World Car Free Day.

“Although Lane Cove is blessed with carparking facilities this must not discourage us from occasionally leaving the car in the driveway.”

The Lane Cove council area has a population of more than 39,000 and takes in major roads including Epping Rd, River Rd and sections of the Pacific Hwy.

The car-free proposal was put forward by Labor councillor Kathy Bryla, who said further research would look at how other cities across the world hold similar initiatives.

“Around the world car-free days have been taken up by different countries and all have different approaches – in some it’s an approach to car pooling or providing people with information on how they can get around on active transport,” she said.

Lane Cove councillor Kathy Bryla put forward the proposal.

Mr Bangma said a trial could be a first step towards a permanent car free day in Lane Cove, coinciding with World Car Free Day held on September 22 each year.

“Car free Sundays should not be a token symbolic gesture but hopefully act as a model for reducing cars on streets in Lane Cove,” he said.

“There are plenty of reasons to reign in our car usage where we can. We must aim for a permanent day in our community.”

A council report outlining the feasibility of holding the event this year is due to be voted on at council meeting early this year.

Other global cities that have adopted car free days include Bogota in Columbia and Seoul in South Korea.