BUILDING TASMANIA: WHERE NEXT FOR TRANSPORT AND CLIMATE CHANGE?

The Government yesterday outlined some of the functions of Building Tasmania. But the announcement was silent on critical issues for the community and the environment in this dual cost of living and climate crisis.

Alarmingly, the Premier’s media release makes no mention of Transport Tasmania or the climate change office within Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania (ReCFIT).

The Government must outline a clear position on the future of public transport. This is an opportunity to measure and understand the economic, social and environmental benefits of reducing our dependency on private vehicles.

I recently met with a number of transport interest groups and individuals. There is widespread support for the Government’s free public transport policy. The question now is how to maintain the uptake in passenger numbers beyond the current fuel crisis, and for more data sharing around how Tasmanians use public transport. It’s not just raw numbers – we need to understand the experience of the many people who are using public transport for the first time, and to ensure the mode shift is not temporary.

There is no way of knowing how long the current conflict in the Persian Gulf will affect the way we live, but there is an urgent need to expand PT services to meet community needs. The current GBE / State Growth model has failed Tasmanians.

It is also a critical time with the recently released review of the Climate Change (State Action) Act to improve Tasmania’s response to adapt and mitigate for climate change and make our communities more resilient. We must have a plan to address climate change, and Tasmania can be a world leader if we take the chance.

The Tasmanian Government is doing such a positive thing with free buses until July 1 and they should be commended. But we must not squander the opportunity to reduce congestion, save money, cut carbon emissions and create a transport network that works for all Tasmanians.