Communities in Transition
for Queensland Communities
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Low carbon vehicles
Public and active transport
Car sharing
Low Carbon Vehicles
Electric cars
The Future is Electric: Queensland’s Electric Vehicle Strategy, 2017, Queensland Government
In 2017 the Queensland Government launched The Future is Electric: Queensland’s Electric Vehicle Strategy – a strategy to help Queensland shift to a cleaner, greener electric vehicle fleet.
The Future is Electric, Benefits to Queensland, 2017, Queensland Government
With 14% of the greenhouse gas emissions, vehicle travel is the second highest emitting sector in Queensland. Electric vehicles (EV) present Queensland with a unique opportunity to deliver a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits.
Representing members involved in producing, powering and supporting electric vehicles, our mission is to accelerate the electrification of road transport for a more sustainable and prosperous Australia.
State of electric vehicles in Australia, 2018, Electric Vehicle Council
The state of electric vehicles in Australia report is an annual report providing an up-to-date assessment of the state of Australia’s electric vehicle industry. The second edition of this report tracks Australia’s progress towards a lower emissions, more cost effective light vehicle fleet.
Recharging the Economy, 2017, PwC for Electric Vehicle Council.
PwC commissioned research investigating the direct economic impacts of accelerating electric vehicle uptake in Australia.
The Innovation Interface, Business model innovation for electric vehicle futures, Dr Stephen Hall, Professor Simon Shepherd, Dr Zia Wadud; University of Leeds in collaboration with Future Cities Catapult.
There is huge potential to link electric vehicles, local energy systems, and personal mobility in the city. By doing so we can improve air quality, tackle climate change, and grow new business models. Business model innovation is needed because new technologies and engineering innovations are currently far ahead of the energy system’s ability to accommodate them. This report explores new business models that can work across the auto industry, transport infrastructure and energy systems.
Media
REV up electric cars, ABC News
Imagine driving from Perth to Melbourne in an electric car! But what if there are no charging stations available or the batteries run down while you're driving? The REV project (2013) explored plug-in electric cars and how viable they are for future transport. Find out some of their pros and cons.
The electric-car revolution is here, but is that a good thing for the environment?, 2018, Nick Kilvert, ABC News
There were more than a million bought worldwide last year. In Australia, 2017 sales were up more than 4,000 per cent compared to 2011. By 2035, it's estimated that there'll be over 11 million electric cars bought every year worldwide, and more than half of those will be bought in China. So is the electric-car revolution actually going to do us more harm than good?
Hydrogen Cars
Hydrogen cars: what are they and when will we drive them?, 2017, Rebecca Turner.
Tipped as the future of green motoring, hydrogen cars are virtually emissions-free and both simple and fast to refuel. So what are they and how soon will we be driving them?
Study shows hydrogen cars to have three times emissions of battery EVs, 2018, Giles Parkinson, Renew Economy.
A major new study from researchers at The University of Queensland warns that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will likely have three times the emissions of battery electric vehicles, if using the main grid, and won’t make much environmental sense until the Australian grid is largely decarbonised.
How Do Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Work?, 2018, Union of Concerned Scientists.
Fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen gas to power an electric motor. Unlike conventional vehicles which run on gasoline or diesel, fuel cell cars and trucks combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, which runs a motor. Since they’re powered entirely by electricity, fuel cell vehicles are considered electric vehicles (“EVs”)—but unlike other EVs, their range and refueling processes are comparable to conventional cars and trucks.
Hydrogen fuel breakthrough in Queensland could fire up massive new export market, 2018, Lexy Hamilton-Smith, ABC News
Two cars powered by hydrogen derived from ammonia will be tested in Brisbane today thanks to a Queensland breakthrough that CSIRO researchers say could turn Australia into a renewable energy superpower.
Toyota launches hydrogen-electric vehicle trial in Melbourne’s Bay City, 2018, Manufacturers’ Monthly
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia is launching the first trial of its environmentally friendly, zero CO2 emitting hydrogen-electric vehicles in Melbourne, in partnership with Hobson’s Bay City Council.
Information on the Hydrogen Economy is found here.
Information on Hydrogen Chargers is found here.
Public and Active Transport
Walking, Riding and Access to Public Transport – Supporting active travel in Australian Communities – Ministerial Statement, 2013, Australian Government, Department of Infrastructure and Transport.
All state and territory governments, and many local governments, have policies and programs in place to increase the share of walking, riding and public transport. This statement outlines a national approach, for the Australian Government to work with other levels of government, the community and business, to further support and encourage this work. .
Queensland Cycling Strategy 2017 – 2027, 2017, Queensland Government, Department of Transport and Main Roads
Cycling and other modes of active transport should be as seamless as car transport in our cities. Think of the possibilities and opportunities to improve access and health in our cities and towns. We want more Queenslanders to take advantage of the health and convenience of cycling. We want to encourage people to cycle for fun, to socialise and to experience our communities. The Queensland Cycling Strategy 2017–2027 is about supporting those who ride and those who want to start riding by making traveling by bike a safer and more comfortable option.
Transport coordination plan 2017-2027, 2017, Queensland Government, Department of Transport and Main Roads
Transport is critical to Queensland’s economic growth and a catalyst for creating liveable communities. Queensland has a large and diverse transport system: transport infrastructure is the government’s biggest infrastructure asset. Today we have more roads, more public transport and more customers using them than ever before. We need an efficient, reliable and safe transport system that puts customers first and supports economic productivity and the global competitiveness of Queensland industries. As the state continues to grow over the coming decades, the transport system will experience significant increases in demand to move both people and goods.
Let’s get active and healthy! Get Active + Healthy Townsville is about finding opportunities to help improve your health, and importantly identify ways to get out and move more. Townsville City Council provides a range of events, programs and initiatives for the community, while also building the capacity of local sport and recreation organisations.
The GO – Your Active Community Townsville, Community website
TheGo is an independent community resource that celebrates everything active in Townsville and surrounds. Whether you’re just getting going, or going hard; TheGo equips local ‘Goers’ with the knowledge they need to make the most out of North Queensland’s active lifestyle.
Low Carbon Travel, Cairns Regional Council
Transport is the third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia, with private cars making up roughly half of this. There are many ways to start travelling in the right direction to benefit our finances, health and the environment.
Cost and health benefit of active transport in Queensland - Stage 1 Report Research and Review For Health Promotion Queensland, 2011, Institute for Sensible Transport.
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the latest literature evaluating the economic impacts of active transport programs and projects. It provides a critical analysis of the models and tools used to assess the costs and benefits of active transport interventions. It offers recommendations to create robust methods of integrating the latest information in order to better assess active transport proposals from a cost-benefit perspective.
A shift from motorised travel to active transport: What are the potential health gains for an Australian city?, 2017, Zapata-Diomedi, B., Knibbs, L. D., Ware, R. S., Heesch, K. C., Tainio, M., Woodcock, J., & Veerman, J. L. PloS one, 12(10), e0184799. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0184799
An alarmingly high proportion of the Australian adult population does not meet national physical activity guidelines (57%). This is concerning because physical inactivity is a risk factor for several chronic diseases. In recent years, an increasing emphasis has been placed on the potential for transport and urban planning to contribute to increased physical activity via greater uptake of active transport (walking, cycling and public transport). In this study, we aimed to estimate the potential health gains and savings in health care costs of an Australian city achieving its stated travel targets for the use of active transport.
Developing and promoting active travel routes to school, City of Greater Geelong, Victoria
Supporting and encouraging students, staff and families to use active travel assists schools to meet the Physical Activity and Safe Environment Benchmarks of the Achievement Program
End-of-trip facilities, Queensland Government, Department of Housing and Public Works
From 26 November 2010, end-of-trip facilities must be installed for all new major developments and major additions to major developments located in designated local government areas. These requirements are included in the Queensland Development Code (QDC) Mandatory Part 4.1 - Sustainable Buildings.
Building and sustainable housing fact sheets, Queensland Government, Department of Housing and Public Works. Community website
Fact sheets relating to the Building Act 1975, Building and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2008 and the Building and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2009.
Form based codes, Form Based Codes Institute, USA
A form-based code is a land development regulation tool that integrates landuses for better public amenity. This website provides advice on how to develop form based codes for local governments to promote active travel.
Have we zoned great, walkable places out of existence?, Smart Growth America
Zoning codes are the unseen yet decisive guiding force that can either help or hinder the creation of great, walkable, people-scaled places. This primer from our Form-Based Codes Institute gives you the basics on form-based codes: what they are, where they work, and how they can help create and sustain great places.
Car sharing
Many cities around Australia are investing in car share options to reduce traffic congestion. There are two main options of using a specific car share company or individuals contributing their own cars into the share market (similar to Uber / Airbnb).
Car Sharing, Gold Coast City Council
Car sharing, Melbourne City Council
Car Sharing, City of Stonnington
Car sharing, 2018, City of Moonee Valley
City of Moonee Valley offers both organised car sharing companies and car next door where people offer their own car for car sharing.
Transport in Port Phillip, Car sharing, City of Port Phillip
Car sharing and car pooling, Moreland City Council
Share a car in Glen Eira, City of Glen Eira
City of Melbourne, City of Stonnington, Car Sharing Research, 2010, GHD
The aim of this study was to review the progress of the car sharing industry to date, establish the potential uptake for the future and to determine appropriate structures to assist Council to continue supporting car sharing as a sustainable transport service. This report describes the extensive international (and increasing Australian) experience and evidence for car sharing, including the policy context for the City of Melbourne and City of Stonnington, to offer a way forward for both municipalities.
Creating a car share policy, 2018, City of Yarra
Sustainable methods of transport like public transport, cycling and walking are readily available in Yarra. However for the times when a car is necessary, car sharing is a cost effective alternative to owning a car.
Media
'Like Airbnb, but for cars': Melbourne council leads way in setting aside parking spots for peer-to-peer car sharing, 2017, Norman Hermant, ABC News
Whether it's driving all over the city in the search for a home, hauling furniture, or shopping, apartment dwellers Erin Padbury and Alisdair Horgen often need a car. But they'd never dream of buying one.
1,000 cars and no garage – why car-sharing works, 2014, Jennifer Kent and Robyn Dowling, The Conversation
Owning a car can be a hassle, especially if you live somewhere where driving is an occasional, rather than daily, necessity. This might help to explain why car-sharing schemes are going from strength to strength in cities around the world.
