Solutions

There is no single solution to the challenge of sustainable transport energy. In recognising this, the Department is preparing a long term strategic basis for addressing the complex problems facing the transport sector. This includes the Transport Emissions Reduction Strategy (TERS), which will identify the most effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Western Australia’s transport sector.

The Department will also facilitate the take up of cleaner new engine technologies and alternative fuels, while also promoting fuel efficiency in the transport sector.

Other examples of the State Government’s policies relating to transport emission reductions include:

• Expanding and investing in the Perth passenger rail network (including the new Mandurah rail line);

• Conducting the Perth Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Trial;

• Trialling bio-fuels in Transperth buses;

• Ensuring that Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powers all new buses purchased for the Transperth bus fleet;

• Changing the structure of the Government vehicle fleet so that wherever possible, 6-cylinder vehicles are replaced by 4-cylinder vehicles;

• Introducing a Green Taxi scheme in Perth;

• Introducing a $1000 LPG conversion subsidy scheme for family vehicles; and

• Hosting the 2006 Alternative Transport Energies Conference and the 2004 Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Futures Conference, bringing delegates from all over the world to Perth to discuss what the world is doing to provide cleaner, more sustainable and secure transport energy supplies.

The Sustainable Transport Energy work unit is also providing support for the National Transport Policy Framework Ministerial Working Group on climate change, environment and energy.

For more information about the Western Australian Government’s policies on climate change visit the Premier’s Climate Change Action Statement, released May 2007.