Damon Mcknight
Australia is a highly car-centric country, with its cities designed for cars and public transport infrastructure lagging behind. With a population of nearly 25 million, Australia has one of the fastest-rising populations of all OECD countries, the majority of which is focused on its biggest cities: Sydney and Melbourne. While these cities have widespread commuter rail networks, services between cities and states are more limited. The availability and efficiency of public transportation, as well as the cost, are key factors in determining a country's car dependency. Australia's low population density means that its cities are sprawling, making efficient public transport difficult to implement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country size | Australia is almost as big as the US |
| Population | 25 million |
| Public transport | Available in major cities |
| Rail network | 0.1km of railway lines per 100km2 |
| Commuting | Done mostly by car |
| Walkability | Low |
| Urban sprawl | High |
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What You'll Learn
Urban sprawl and unaffordable housing
Australia's car dependency is linked to urban sprawl and unaffordable housing, particularly in its major cities. The country has a relatively low population density, with most people concentrated in large cities like Sydney and Melbourne, which are facing issues of urban sprawl and housing unaffordability.
Urban sprawl in Australia has been influenced by historical factors, such as the post-World War II era when city planners looked to the US for inspiration, embracing the idea of freeways and multiple cars per family. This, coupled with cheap land and a booming population, led to the development of outer suburbs with low-density housing.
The layout of Australian cities, with their sprawling suburbs, contributes to the car dependency. Public transportation options, such as buses, are often infrequent and unreliable, especially in outer suburbs. As a result, residents in these areas are reliant on cars for their daily commutes.
The issue of unaffordable housing further exacerbates the problem. With limited affordable housing in desirable areas, residents are forced to live farther away from city centres, contributing to longer commutes and an even greater dependence on cars.
Despite these challenges, some Australian cities like Melbourne and Sydney have been recognised for their liveability, boasting attractive urban environments and offering various transportation options within the inner suburbs. However, the country still has room for improvement, particularly in addressing the issues of urban sprawl and unaffordable housing to reduce car dependency and make cities more accessible and sustainable.
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Inefficient public transport
Australia is highly dependent on road transport. The country has more than 300 airports with paved runways, and an extensive road network. However, this network experiences excessive demand during peak periods and very weak demand overnight. This is partly due to the country's large area and low population density in many parts.
The country's public transport infrastructure is not as well-developed as its road network. Australia has just 0.1km of railway lines per 100km2, and while major cities have widespread commuter rail networks, services between cities and states are more limited. This is partly due to the early development of the rail network, which was largely run at a local level, leading to different track gauges that made it difficult for tracks from different states to connect.
The inefficiency of public transport in Australia is particularly notable in Sydney. Sydney has a low population density of 36 people per hectare, making transport planning very challenging. Without sufficient density, it is not economically viable to build a dense train or metro-based network, and public transport in the city remains relatively inefficient.
Other Australian cities also struggle with inefficient public transport. Melbourne, for example, has a tram system that does not extend far outside the city centre. Canberra has a decent network of bike paths, but the city's low density makes cycling long distances untenable for many people.
To improve the efficiency of public transport in Australia, there needs to be a significant emphasis on investing in infrastructure and providing monetary incentives to encourage public transport use and discourage driving.
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Low walkability
Australia is a large country with a relatively small population. This means that its cities are spread out, and urban sprawl is a common feature. This has an impact on walkability, as distances are often too great to cover on foot.
Research has shown that Australian cities are still being designed for cars, with low-density, car-dependent suburban sprawl. This is particularly true of outer suburbs, where public transport options are often limited. For example, in Canberra, while there is a decent network of bike paths, the low density of the city makes cycling long distances unfeasible for many.
The walkability index combines dwelling density, daily-living destinations, and street connectivity. In Australia, only a small percentage of residents live in walkable communities, and walkability is generally concentrated in inner suburbs. In Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney, only 35% of homes are within 400 meters of a public transport stop with regular services.
While some Australian cities do have good public transport options, particularly Melbourne with its trams and trains, these are often limited to the inner suburbs. Outside of the cities, a car is often necessary. This is due to the limited rail network between cities and states, and the inefficiency of bus services.
Overall, while there are some efforts to improve walkability in Australian cities, the country's large size and urban sprawl present significant challenges.
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Rail network issues
Australia is a country almost as big as the US with less than 10% of the population, so it is no surprise that cars are very important. While the major cities in Australia have widespread commuter rail networks, services between cities and states are more limited.
Historically, the Australian rail network has been largely state-based, with each state having its own operations. This has led to issues with track gauges, with different gauges being adopted in different colonies and even within colonies, without reference to those of other colonies. This has caused problems ever since, with attempts to fix the gauge problem still incomplete. For example, the Mount Gambier line is isolated by gauge and of no operational value.
In addition, the Australian rail network is ageing, with parts of the Sydney network dating back 170 years. This has led to issues with outdated infrastructure and a reliance on hand-delivered messages, which has been cited as a cause of delays and outages.
Sydney's rail network has been described as a "sprawling spider web", with almost all rail lines converging over a short stretch in the city's west. This has led to a domino effect, where a major incident on one line causes outages across the entire network. While there have been proposals to "detangle" the network, this would be extremely costly and disruptive.
Overall, while Australia does have a rail network, it is limited outside of major cities and suffers from issues with ageing infrastructure and track gauges. This contributes to Australia's car dependency, particularly for those living outside of the inner suburbs of major cities.
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Cost of car ownership
Australia is a car-centric country, with its vast expanse and low population density making cars a necessity outside of its major cities. The cost of car ownership in Australia is significant and can be a financial burden for many.
The costs of owning a car in Australia go beyond the initial purchase price. Fuel costs are a major ongoing expense, with the average Australian household spending over $90 a week on fuel, or $4,726 a year. Fuel prices vary across the country, with regional areas facing higher costs than capital cities. The Australian government's high tax on fuel, which is regularly increased, also contributes to the burden.
Other significant costs include car insurance, registration, repairs, and maintenance. Insurance costs vary depending on the state and territory, with some states deregulating Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, which can be included in the registration fee or paid separately. Car loan repayments can also be a substantial expense, and the preference for larger cars, such as SUVs, can drive up these costs.
The cost of car ownership can impact Australians' financial decisions and perceptions. Over half of those surveyed in one study believed that car ownership had become much more expensive in the past year. The high costs have led to some Australians putting off necessary services or opting not to take out a car loan.
While public transportation is available in major cities, the lack of an extensive rail network between cities and states contributes to Australia's car dependency. This results in commuting mostly being done by car, especially in smaller cities and outer suburbs, adding to the financial burden of car ownership for many Australians.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia is car-dependent.
Australia has been described as "extremely car-centric compared to Europe". It has been called the most car-dependent country in the world due to its low density of railway lines.
Smaller cities like Canberra are very car-dependent. In larger cities, car dependency is more common in the outer suburbs.
Melbourne has been described as the "best city for public transport" in Australia. Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane have also been described as "manageable" without a car.
Australia's car dependency is impacted by the availability and efficiency of public transportation, as well as the cost. Urban planning that prioritises cars over walkability and public transport also contributes to car dependency.
