Estimates - Transport - Transport emissions

CHAIR - Minister, I've got a number of questions, which I'll do over a couple of rounds, looking at low-emissions transport options. Deloitte's climate risk assessment report of 2024 identified climate change risks and opportunities in Tasmania. It classified opportunities that require urgent adaptation action in the built domain in order to fully realise the economic benefits of those opportunities. I think you've touched on that somewhat with transport planning as well. One of those opportunities was for lower-emissions transport systems. Noting we are already two years down the track, what is your government doing in the next three years to realise that opportunity?

Mr VINCENT - There are two parts there. First, as part of Transport, with TasRail we've extended the life of some of the engines they have to get us through for the next 10 years because technology in that area does not allow for a changeover at the moment to something of lower emissions, but the industry and the people on the board who are involved in industries around Australia believe that that will get TasRail through to a certain time period without an exorbitant amount of expenditure. With the buses, we have had the trials with the electric and the hydrogen, which has had some successes but some issues as well. We're working with a couple of other bus companies that are moving a lot quicker in this area, so everybody's in the same boat, but I'd need to defer to the deputy secretary for some more information on how those trials are progressing and where we're heading with that.

Ms HEYDON - Yes, since 25 June we've had the hydrogen trials in Metro south and there is also a battery electric trial in Launceston at the moment. I would defer to Metro to give an update of where they are. We did speak with them recently about the performance measures and the outputs from those trials to help inform us about a future fleet strategy and advice through to government.

CHAIR - Okay. You're just talking about buses and trains and those trials which don't sound like they're going anywhere quickly. Is that right? Mr VINCENT - Progressing would be the word. They are trials, so we are looking at it.

CHAIR - It's been a trial for a long time, to be fair.

Mr VINCENT - Yes, but with buses it's not just how they operate on a cost efficiency of one week, it's the durability and the drivability of the buses as well. There have been some issues and it is relatively new technology. I know that some of the people involved in the bus network are doing a lot of communication on a national basis about where that goes, but that hasn't come across my desk at this stage, other than the trials that are happening.

Ms HEYDON - We are working with Metro on the outputs from those trials as we're developing a bus fleet strategy for a transition to provide to government later this year.

CHAIR - Thank you.

****

CHAIR - Minister, I've got a question in three parts. I'll forego my next round, if that's okay with the committee? Thank you. This is, again, on low-emissions transport options. According to the public consultation, which was meant to inform Transport Emissions Reduction and Resilience planning, stakeholders wanted your government to reduce emissions in the transport sector by setting targets for emissions reduction, uptake of public and active transport, sales targets and fleet transition targets. Yet you have only chosen to set targets for government fleet transition. My question is in three parts, and happy if you want to take this on notice, minister.

1. What percentage of the government fleet is electrified for both plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles separately? Are you on track to meet your target?

2. A total of $4.55 million has been allocated to transition the government vehicle fleet to electric by 2030. How much has been spent, and how much of the funding is left?

3. Why haven't you set any other targets to electrify our other transport? Isn't it now the time to be setting those targets as our reliance on oil leaves Tasmanian drivers hopelessly exposed to the international oil price volatility?

Mr VINCENT - You're quite right. I'll take that on notice, Chair, to get that accurate information for you on that. Some of those things on the fleet are not part of my industry, fleet control, but we'll do our best to get relevant information on that for you.

CHAIR - Thank you.