It seems to me that as soon as it became common knowledge that carbon monoxide was destroying the ozone layer (was it the late 70's?) the NSW State govt. gave the Roads and Traffic Authority juggernaut status and an accordingly humungous budget to provide new motorways all over the place.

The money for the RTA seems to have been taken from the State Rail budget, because the rail system in that period has been allowed to deteriorate (in practical terms at least) to the point that if ever someone in power actually decides to provide a viable public transport alternative to road travel it will be a financial impossibility.

Increased taxes for better roads?
That sounds like something from last century or possibly the one before.

John