A possible ban on cars in Melbourne’s CBD, even for a day, would cause chaos for Melbourne businesses and consumers, says VECCI.

"A ban on cars entering the Melbourne CBD will be counter-productive and cause more problems than it solves", says VECCI Chief Executive Officer, Mr Wayne Kayler-Thomson.

"Firstly, where will car travellers turn? We already know that our public transport system is unable to cope with commuter demands at peak times – why make this situation worse?

"Furthermore, a CBD car ban may simply push traffic congestion to areas directly outside the exclusion zone, as has happened in other cities that have tried this experiment.

"Finally, a ban goes directly against the good work the State Government and the Melbourne City Council have done to revive the Melbourne CBD as a place to live, work and do business – a ban on motor cars will send a signal to shoppers and investors to keep away from the City.

"What is required instead is a long-term vision for boosting public transport – if public transport is not coping in terms of capacity now, what will things be like in 2030 when an extra million people are living here?

"Infrastructure is crucial - Governments should consider more Park and Ride carparks, giving people the option to jump on a tram, train or bus in the outer, middle or inner suburbs, and come to the CBD. Big-ticket ideas that can make a real difference, such as the multimodal East-West tunnel concept, should also be considered.

"And what about some incentives for those catching public transport, such as the equivalent of a frequent flyer scheme, offering fare discounts and/or rewards for frequent public transport use?

"It is clear that innovative solutions are the way to go, not the solutions of yesteryear such as car park taxes, congestion levies and car bans.

"One is forced to ask – is a car ban rational policymaking or policy-on-the-run driven by a blind ideological opposition to the motor car?

"Whatever the case, Melbourne CBD business ratepayers and their employees will be unwilling victims of this ill-thought experiment if it goes ahead", says Mr Kayler-Thomson.