Page 2875 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 19 September 2006
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The government spent $150,000 conducting an energy audit program that addressed energy efficiency in government facilities and operations and has committed funds in the budget to improve energy efficiency in public housing. In November 2005, the government committed to purchase appliances with low-standby power usage, the first Australian jurisdiction to do so.
The government fleet has purchased low-emission hybrid vehicles. Currently, about 10½ per cent of the ACT government rates four stars or better on the green vehicle guide which, in effect, means the election commitment has been met more than two years ahead of schedule. Compare this with the Vancouver taxi fleet where eight per cent of taxis are hybrid vehicles. They operate in the same way and at the same price as other taxis but are much less polluting and their emissions are way lower.
In addition to buying hybrid vehicles, the government has committed to all fleet vehicles becoming four-cylinder models. The Chief Minister has led the way by changing his vehicle to a four-cylinder vehicle. Other members might like to consider that as an option.
ACTION has purchased 42 compressed natural gas buses, at $17.2 million, bringing the percentage of gas-powered buses in the fleet to 11 per cent. Another 11 new CNG buses will be procured in 2006, for which we have allocated $4.84 million in the 2005-06 budget. A further $.17 million has been spent on the construction of ACTION’s CNG refuelling station in Tuggeranong, which was launched in December 2004. ACTION has committed $345,000 to incorporate bike racks on buses on major routes, to encourage commuters to use bicycles. ACT NOWaste has a program that converts methane gas emissions to green electricity in a revenue-positive program.
In March this year, the government released Avoid Abate Adapt, which is a discussion paper for a new ACT climate change strategy. The release was followed by a six-week consultation period. Key issues arising from the public consultation included education programs. This was a very strong theme in all the consultations. Participants indicated that there needed to be increased awareness of climate change and energy issues and how they relate to individuals in the community. They talked about regional leaderships. A number of participants indicated the need to recognise Canberra’s place in the surrounding region and to ensure interaction with regional groups and governments.
The consultation revealed a need for bipartisan political support. Some participants articulated their belief that bipartisan support was needed to ensure that the climate change strategy and energy policy are not reversed. They talked about population growth and the issue of factoring population growth into potential energy use. Climate change impacts were brought up at several of the consultations.
They regarded highly the need for more research. Some participants advocated greater research specific to the ACT so that residents can be better informed and personalise the problem. In addition, it was felt that the government should support research being undertaken in the ACT through current research facilities like the CSIRO, the ANU and the University of Canberra.
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