Canberra drivers happy with ACT road networks - The Canberra Times

Traffic in the rain on Northbourne Avenue. Photo: Rohan Thomson

Canberra motorists are among the nation's most contented where levels of traffic congestion are concerned, surpassed only by drivers in Darwin, new data shows.

A clear majority - 72 per cent - of surveyed Canberrans responded yes when asked if their city had a good road network and minimal traffic congestion, unchanged from 2011 and below only the 73 per cent support in Darwin.

The data was the only city-specific part of the ABS's Measures of Australia's Progress report released on Thursday, which found the nation had advanced on nine indicators, including health, education and prosperity, with regression only on ''a resilient economy'' (reduced productivity) and sustainable environment measurements.

Planning Institute of Australia ACT president Viv Straw said he agreed with the positive view most Canberrans had of their roads, even though being a car-dominated city had its drawbacks.

''In some ways the fact that Canberra is a car-based city is not good for our health, and … because the car network is so good, it makes it difficult to have alternative public transport working well, and that disenfranchises a small portion of the population,'' Mr Straw said.

''But for the rest of [the residents], it provides phenomenal freedom.''

Mr Straw predicted a slight increase in congestion on ACT roads in the next five to 10 years, with fuel dependence the other potential risk factor.

''We're very petrol price/oil price dependent, so if there was a sudden change in supply of fuel or oil for one reason or another, we may find ourselves regretting our focus on one form of transport,'' he said.

Only 17 per cent of surveyed Sydneysiders and 23 per cent of Melburnians were happy with their roads and traffic.

The road figures were taken from Auspoll surveys of more than 5800 people completed in November and December last year for the Property Council of Australia.

The 2011 census showed more than 84 per cent of Canberra commuters went to work by car.