Why Western Australia's Transport Coordination Act Needs a 21st Century Update

Western Australia's transport coordination and planning is currently governed by legislation from 1966 - an era when Perth's population was less than half a million people and private vehicle ownership was just beginning to boom. As our cities grow and transportation needs evolve, this antiquated law is increasingly holding back Western Australia's potential for creating efficient, sustainable and liveable communities.

The Current Challenge

The Transport Co-ordination Act 1966 creates significant barriers to modern transport planning. The current framework limits the ability of different transport authorities to work together effectively. The Public Transport Authority, for instance, doesn't have the legislative power to establish high-frequency transit corridors on key roads without complex negotiations with multiple stakeholders.

The Act's objectives focus primarily on the coordination, licensing and control of transport services, with little consideration for integration with land use planning or environmental outcomes. This narrow focus is increasingly at odds with modern urban planning principles and creates unnecessary barriers to implementing integrated transport solutions that could benefit all Western Australians.

Learning from Global Best Practice

Victoria's Transport Integration Act (2010) stands as Australia's most progressive transport legislation. The Victorian model mandates integration between transport and land use planning through specific statutory obligations. For example, the Act requires all transport agencies to collaborate on major infrastructure projects and consider their impacts on future land use. This has enabled projects like Melbourne's Level Crossing Removal Program to deliver not just transport benefits, but significant urban renewal outcomes through integrated station precincts and new community spaces.

New Zealand's Land Transport Management Act demonstrates how legislation can drive sustainability outcomes. Their framework requires all transport projects to demonstrate how they will contribute to public health, environmental sustainability and social equity. This has led to transformative projects like Auckland's City Rail Link, which was required to show not just transport benefits, but also how it would reduce carbon emissions and improve public health through increased active transport opportunities.

The UK's Transport Act 2000 shows how legislation can enable innovative funding and delivery models. Their quality partnership schemes have allowed cities like Manchester to create integrated transport networks where bus operators, rail services and local authorities work together under formal agreements. The Act's provisions for workplace parking levies have enabled cities like Nottingham to generate over ￡9 million annually for public transport improvements, leading to the UK's highest public transport usage outside London.

Specific Benefits for Western Australia

Modernising Western Australia's transport legislation would transform how we plan, deliver and use transport across our state. Through coordinated infrastructure planning, we could significantly reduce the current $2 billion annual cost of congestion in Perth. The experience from Victoria shows that properties within walkable distance of well-planned transport nodes typically command a 30% premium - a benefit that could be realised across Perth's expanding transport network with better integrated planning.

The economic advantages extend beyond property values. Our tourism sector would benefit from seamlessly connected destinations, while our retail precincts could expect increased foot traffic and spending - similar to what Melbourne has witnessed following their integrated transport and urban renewal projects. Small businesses, particularly in our town centres and urban corridors, would thrive with improved accessibility and foot traffic.

For Western Australian families, better transport coordination would mean more than just easier commutes. Currently, Perth households spend an average of 15% of their income on transport - a figure that could be substantially reduced through better-connected public transport and active transport options. Our outer suburban communities, in particular, would gain improved access to jobs, education and services through coordinated transport planning that considers all modes of travel.

The health implications for Western Australians are equally significant. By enabling more active transport through coordinated planning of our streets and public spaces, we could address the rising costs of physical inactivity in our healthcare system. The mental health benefits of reduced commuting stress and enhanced community connection through well-designed transport precincts would add further value to our community's wellbeing.

From an environmental perspective, coordinated transport planning would play a crucial role in helping Western Australia meet its net zero by 2050 target. Transport emissions currently account for 17% of our state's greenhouse gas emissions. Through integrated planning and a shift towards sustainable transport options, we could significantly reduce this figure while simultaneously improving air quality in our urban areas. Better coordination would also allow us to protect our valuable urban bushland and enhance our urban tree canopy, contributing to cooler, more liveable neighbourhoods.

Most importantly, these benefits would compound over time. As our population grows towards an expected 3.5 million by 2050, the advantages of having coordinated, future-focused transport legislation will become increasingly apparent. The decisions we make today about how we plan and coordinate our transport systems will shape the Western Australia our children inherit.

Essential Elements for Updated Legislation

A modernised Transport Co-ordination Act must fundamentally reshape how we approach transport planning and delivery in Western Australia. At its core, the legislation needs to mandate genuine integration between transport and land use planning. This means creating statutory obligations for transport agencies to work together from the earliest stages of planning, rather than attempting to coordinate after individual agencies have developed their plans. The legislation should require transport impact assessments for major developments and establish clear timeframes for coordinated infrastructure delivery.

The new Act must also establish a comprehensive sustainability framework. Following New Zealand's example, this framework should require all major transport decisions to demonstrate their contribution to environmental and public health outcomes. Carbon impact assessments should become standard practice, alongside considerations for climate resilience and environmental protection. This approach would ensure our transport investments actively contribute to Western Australia's sustainability commitments rather than working against them.

Funding innovation represents another crucial element of modern transport legislation. The Act should enable contemporary approaches to transport funding, learning from the UK's successful examples of value capture and workplace parking levies. By establishing clear mechanisms for public-private partnerships and allowing local governments more flexibility in implementing transport improvement schemes, we could unlock new funding sources for sustainable transport initiatives. Additionally, the legislation should provide frameworks for regional transport funding arrangements that recognise the unique needs of different parts of our state.

Perhaps most importantly, the Act must reform governance structures to enable genuine coordination between agencies. This means moving beyond simple consultation requirements to establish meaningful frameworks for joint decision-making and shared accountability. Taking inspiration from Singapore's unified transport authority model, the legislation should create clear structures for cross-agency coordination, while ensuring robust community consultation remains central to transport planning. These governance reforms must be supported by transparent project assessment criteria and comprehensive performance monitoring requirements.

The Path Forward

Modernising WA's Transport Co-ordination Act isn't just about updating old laws - it's about creating a framework that can support the state's growth and development for decades to come. With Perth's population expected to reach 3.5 million by 2050, now is the time to establish laws that will help create a more liveable, sustainable and prosperous Western Australia.

The benefits of such reform would extend far beyond transport efficiency - they would help create more vibrant communities, support economic growth and contribute to meeting our climate commitments. By learning from successful models across the globe and incorporating modern best practices, Western Australia can create a transport framework that truly serves its communities' needs for generations to come.

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