Sensible Transport Forum
Transition Town Newcastle is holding a forum on Sensible Transport for the Lower Hunter at Newcastle Town Hall on Thursday evening, September 24th from 6- 8pm.
The purpose of the forum is to highlight the issue of Peak Oil and the necessary changes we will need to make to accommodate the rising cost of oil. We will be exploring ideas for sensible transport in and around Newcastle given the profound economic and social implications resulting from the future rising costs of energy – oil in particular.
The forum will begin with a presentation by Elliot Fishman, Director of the Institute for Sensible Transport. Elliot is one of Australia’s leading experts on sustainable transport and oil vulnerability having worked both internationally and around Australia on a variety of transport issues - with a special interest in bicycle planning. He acted as Expert Witness on Canberra’s Senate Inquiry into Australia’s Fuel Supply and Alternatives in May, 2006 and has advised the Prime Minister’s Office on petrol prices. www.sensibletransport.org.au
Peak Oil is imminent (if it’s not here already) but our community is not ready for the repercussions. In order to prosper we need a low carbon alternative for transport. We need to engage in sensible strategic planning that will take into account the economic and social implications of climate change and a massive rise in the price of oil. Just how will we be getting around when petrol reaches $10 a litre?
With its combination of car/bus/rail /ferry transport systems Newcastle is a perfect mid-sized city to be a model case study for the development of a sensible transport system that can survive peak oil and allow us to prosper into an otherwise uncertain future.
We have the opportunity, the skills and the enthusiasm to develop a pilot program in the Hunter. By acting now we could become a Smart Transport Region leading the nation in the preparation for climate change and peak oil, with an integrated sensible transport system.
The forum will include a panel discussion addressing local transport issues and a
Q & A session to finish.
Elliot will be available for media interviews.
More information will follow.
Join us at City Hall on September 24 at 6pm and spread the word.
