Transport is the ACT’s largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions (more than 60%), primarily through the use of petrol and diesel vehicles. To respond with appropriate urgency to the climate crisis, we must rapidly shift to a zero-carbon transport system through a range of strategies.
Electric vehicles are already replacing fossil fuel vehicles — the ACT has the highest rate of EV uptake in Australia. Whilst privately owned EVs will continue to serve a role, other modes of transport are also beneficial for individuals, businesses, the natural environment and the city as well as the climate. These include active travel (walking, cycling, rolling), electrified public transport and ride-sharing. High-quality infrastructure and programs to support equitable access are essential to a successful zero-carbon transport system. Electrification and a mode shift towards greater use of active travel and public transport are urgently required.
- Fund and implement an integrated transport strategy for Canberra that prioritises moving people safely, protects the environment, drives down emissions, and maintains liveability and equity of access.
- Legislate targets for transport outcomes that meet or exceed emissions reduction targets, particularly a target that by 2035, 50% of commuting journeys will be by active and public transport.
- Establish a Ministerial Advisory Council on Transport to advise the government and monitor the implementation of an integrated transport strategy.
- By 2028, upgrade the existing network and build the missing links, as per Priority Two of the ACT Government’s Active Travel Plan, to provide a connected, safe and convenient cycle and active travel network.
- Legislate that from 2028 onwards at least 90% (at any time) of cycle lanes, shared paths and footpaths be maintained in good condition and are compliant with anti-discrimination laws. Allocate continuous funding to achieve this ongoing target.
- Continue and expand the Slower Streets program and implement design changes (in consultation with local residents) that calm suburban streets to support safe active travel and recreation, particularly on streets without paths.
- Fund, as advised by the Ministerial Advisory Council on Transport, community engagement programs that support people to make sustainable transport choices.
- Offer incentives to purchase bicycles and scooters, both manual and electric, particularly to replace car ownership.
- Deliver an integrated and electrified light rail and bus network that delivers a frequent and reliable seven-day service, enabling people to rely on public transport for work and personal travel. In particular, accelerate the construction of light rail.
- Commit to all buses running on 100% renewable energy by 2035.
- Implement vehicle registration regulations to preference small, zero-emissions vehicles. From 2028:
- Ensure that no fossil fuel vehicles will be newly registered.
- Ensure that no “highly polluting” vehicles that are already registered will be re-registered, using a criterion to be determined and progressively strengthened by the Ministerial Advisory Council on Transport, with the target of no fossil fuel vehicle registrations after 2035.
- Implement and progressively strengthen a formula basing registration fees on a combination of vehicle emissions and vehicle weight.
- Invest in emissions testing equipment and enforce vehicle emissions standards.
- Consider a scheme to incentivise reducing the number of vehicles registered per household.
- (a) Require new multi-unit buildings to be constructed with EV charging by 2025. (b) Require the installation of EV charging infrastructure in all existing residential apartments by 2028. Provide advice and financial assistance for owners corporations to enable this.
- Ensure public charging infrastructure contractual agreements mandate a defined level of charger reliability, and provision for accessibility for drivers with disabilities.
- By 2025, audit all vehicle policies and fees for equity impacts, and implement programs to empower low-income households to replace fossil fuel vehicles, including incentivising other modes of transport.
A Safe Climate
Climate change is the most significant threat to the survival of all life on earth. The impacts of a changing climate are well upon us: increasingly severe fires, storms, floods, heatwaves and droughts are forcing societies and natural ecosystems to transform how they...
Clean and Healthy Waterways
The ACT is the largest urban centre within the Murray-Darling Basin. The Ngunnawal (Ngunawal), Ngambri, Ngarigo Peoples and acknowledging all other First Nations people with connections to this region, have ongoing deep cultural roots to the water courses and byways...
Protecting Our Region’s Nature
The ACT, like the rest of Australia, is undergoing a biodiversity extinction crisis. Canberra’s mature trees are being removed at alarming rates; our faunal emblem, the Gang-gang Cockatoo is endangered; and our natural areas are at increasing risk of development and...
Take action
Nature needs us now. Our community wants to end extinctions, fully electrify and safeguard our future.Write to your local candidate asking them to commit to the asks outlined in the policy priorities document.
Ask your candidate to commit to our priority nature and climate asks:
- At community election forums
- At shopping centre stalls
- On their social media
- During radio talkback
- In letters to the editor