Australia persists in its focus on freeways, despite their incompatibility with achieving net-zero emissions goals.
In the face of growing climate concerns, Australia's approach to urban transport is under scrutiny, with a focus on the controversial Outer Metropolitan Ring Road (OMRR) project in Melbourne.
The OMRR, a proposed 100-kilometer freeway with a current price tag of A$31 billion, has faced criticism for its potential climate impacts. In 2009, the project was deemed able to proceed without an "environmental effects statement", including assessment of its climate impacts. However, as Australian cities continue to grow, questions are being raised about whether the OMRR should be reconsidered for environmental approval, and if so, what level of scrutiny would be applied.
The need for climate action and emissions reduction is not fully integrated across policies in Australia. While state planning blueprints consider land use and transport together, with a goal of building more homes in established areas close to public transport, services, and jobs, the federal government's guidelines on transport planning give little regard to net zero targets.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that roads hinder national efforts to meet climate targets. To address this, the IPCC recommends minimising emissions generated in cities through infill development, increasing density, improving public transport, and supporting walking, cycling, and other "active" transport options.
However, the OMRR, like other major road projects in Melbourne and Sydney such as the East West Link, West Gate Tunnel, and Westconnex, has faced issues with public consultation and climate change concerns. The approach to urban transport in Australia is car-obsessed and at odds with state policies prioritizing less-polluting transport modes.
The federal government's fuel efficiency standards, which began in January this year, are a step in the right direction, but some experts say the policy does not go far enough to cut transport emissions. The continued building of mega roads in Australia, despite the threat of climate change, is a cause for concern.
Climate must be a key consideration in policies governing Australia's built environments. More climate-friendly transport modes such as walking and cycling can be difficult due to long distances between destinations and lack of supporting infrastructure. Meeting the net zero goal requires addressing greenhouse gas emissions from transport, which is set to become the nation's largest source of emissions by 2030.
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is typically responsible for overseeing environmental impact assessments for major infrastructure projects like the Melbourne OMRR. However, the specific authority can also involve the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA Victoria) as the project is in Melbourne, Victoria. The federal agency usually coordinates under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, while state agencies handle planning and implementation.
Reform is needed to ensure emissions reduction is at the heart of transport investment in our cities. Authorities should reverse the exemption and ensure the OMRR is subject to the highest environmental scrutiny to make the public aware of and able to object to its climate impacts. Australia badly lags in Electric Vehicle (EV) uptake, and much more work is needed to improve the National Electric Vehicle Strategy.
The case of the OMRR highlights the need for a shift in Australia's transport policies towards more sustainable and climate-friendly solutions. As the IPCC warns, roads are a significant contributor to global emissions, accounting for 69% of transport emissions, and this is growing. As such, it is unclear whether new freeway projects like the OMRR will make climate change worse, rather than better.
