Why does Australia persist in its infatuation with freeways, considering they seem to be pushing us further from our net zero target?
In 2009, the Brumby Labor government in Victoria made a decision that could have significant climate implications: the Outer Metropolitan Ring Road (OMRR) project was deemed exempt from an "environmental effects statement," bypassing the assessment of its climate impacts. Fast forward to today, and the proposed 100-kilometre freeway orbiting Melbourne's north and west, with a current price tag of A$31 billion, remains a contentious issue in the city's pursuit of net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050.
The OMRR is not an isolated case. Across Australian cities, mega roads such as Sydney's M12 Motorway, Brisbane's Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway upgrades, Adelaide's River Torrens to Darlington Project, Perth's Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade, and Melbourne's East West Link, West Gate Tunnel, and Westconnex are all under development or planning. These projects, however, are undermining efforts to reduce emissions and encourage cleaner transport.
Expanding freeway networks is a trend that contradicts the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The IPCC advocates for minimizing emissions generated in cities through infill development, increasing density, improving public transport, and supporting walking, cycling, and other "active" transport options. Yet, the need for climate action and emissions reduction is not fully integrated across these policies, and federal government guidelines on transport planning give little regard to net zero targets.
The IPCC has warned that roads hinder national efforts to meet climate targets, with roads accounting for 69% of transport emissions, a figure that is growing. In the case of the OMRR, its potential contribution to transport emissions warrants a reconsideration for environmental approval and the highest level of scrutiny. The Australian authority responsible for the environmental approval of the OMRR is the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA Victoria).
The 2009 decision to exempt the OMRR from environmental assessment has been criticised for its power imbalance between project proponents and community participants, as highlighted in a 2017 Victorian Auditor-General Report. Residents in Australia's capital cities, particularly Melbourne, are largely car-dependent, making climate-friendly transport modes such as walking and cycling difficult. This raises concerns about the adequacy of public consultation and the awareness of the project's climate impacts.
The federal government's fuel efficiency standards, which began in January this year, are weaker than initially proposed and do not go far enough to cut transport emissions. Meeting the goal of reaching net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 requires dealing with greenhouse gas emissions from transport, which is set to become the nation's largest source of emissions by 2030.
Reform is needed to ensure emissions reduction is at the heart of transport investment in our cities. Authorities should ensure the public is fully aware of and can object to the project's climate impacts. Australia is badly lagging in EV uptake, and much more work is needed to encourage the use of electric vehicles and promote sustainable transport options. Climate must be key in the policies governing Australia's built environments.
