Lord mayoral candidates don’t favour London-style congestion tax for Melbourne CBD

A LONDON-style congestion tax for inner Melbourne is not supported by most lord mayoral candidates, but the Greens want to reduce the number of cars in the city and say car travel should become a “specialised” mode of transport.

A LONDON-style congestion tax for inner Melbourne is not supported by most lord mayoral candidates.

But the Greens want to reduce the number of cars in the city and say car travel should become a “specialised” mode of transport.

High-profile candidate Sally Capp said the existing CBD parking levy was a congestion charge, but it hadn’t made a big difference to the city’s traffic problems.

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“We need to look at other options to reduce congestion before considering a London-style tax,” she said.

“Things like increased investment in public transport and infrastructure improvements should be the first port of call when ­considering ­congestion-­busting initiatives.”

Congestion on the corner of Flinders and Spencer streets in the CBD. Picture: Ian Currie

Ms Capp said she was comfortable with Melbourne’s rapid growth, despite that “massive growth has created traffic problems that we hadn’t anticipated”.

“But apparently ... we could make some signalling changes, for example, in terms of how the traffic lights work, that could make a difference,” she said.

Pollster and serial candidate Gary Morgan agreed state-of-the-art traffic controls were needed — and more underground parking — not a congestion tax.

Former Manningham mayor Jennifer Yang said she opposed a congestion tax because it hadn’t been shown how it would benefit residents and traders.

“Cars cannot be taxed out of existence. Council’s role is to improve the convenience of all congestion-busting modes of transport,” she said.

Greens councillor Rohan Leppert has not expressed a view on the proposed congestion levy. Picture: Jay Town

Greens city councillor and lord mayoral candidate Rohan Leppert had no view on a congestion levy as he didn’t want to pre-empt the outcome of the council’s draft transport strategy.

However, the Greens official election policy said the aim was to slash car use.

“Car travel should evolve to become a specialised mode of transport while public transport, walking and cycling will continue to be the most dominant and efficient modes of transport for travel to and within the city,” it said.

The May 11 by-election is being held by postal vote.

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