Sustainable Transport Achievement Shortlisted Finalists

Listing is in alphabetical order of council entrant name

City of Canterbury Bankstown (NSW) – Charging Ahead at CB CIty

Canterbury-Bankstown is the largest Local Council (by population) in NSW. This provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership and progress towards a more sustainable and climate responsible future for Council and our community by supporting and promoting the introduction of lower emission electric vehicles as an alternative to fossil fuel vehicles.

Council has initiated the introduction of electric vehicles into its operational fleet with 3 Pool Fleet EVs commencing operation in early 2019. An additional 7 EVs are on order for delivery in late 2019. All new EVs will be carbon emission neutral via Councils renewable energy contracts and purchased offsets where needed. As these highly visual branded operational vehicles move around the Local Government Area, we will be promoting this technology as the best new standard.

Council is also on track to promote EV technology to our community by installing 6 ‘free to use’ Level 2 EV charging facilities to the local community before late 2019. Community usage and energy demand will be monitored to inform the need for Councils participation in this space into the future.

Moreland City Council (Vic) – Transition to Zero Emissions Fleet

Moreland City Council adopted a new vehicle policy in 2018 that, for the first time, mandates a zero emissions procurement priority for passenger vehicles. We believe this new policy is the most progressive on emissions standards in the country.

This policy follows seven years of actively implementing and supporting a growing network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the municipality. This began with the installation of Victoria’s first EV fast charge station and integration of electric vehicles into Council’s fleet following a comprehensive EV feasibility study in 2014.

The adoption of the new vehicle policy signals a commitment to accelerating Council’s transition to zero emissions fleet operations.

Following delivery of 10 additional EVs in 2019, Council will have 14 EVs operating in its fleet, with more to follow as ‘new Business as Usual’. The Council-owned network of (renewably powered) public EV charging stations has expanded to ten across the municipality including two DC fast charging stations.

All of Moreland’s recharging stations are available free to use 24/7 to support and encourage uptake of electric vehicles. Council’s zero emissions fleet transition also includes investigating and trialing Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology.

City of Newcastle (NSW) – Smart Moves Newcastle Program

The City of Newcastle has implemented a wide range of sustainable and innovative transport solutions, projecting Newcastle toward its aim of being a smart, liveable and sustainable global city.

Through close collaboration with government agencies at both State and Federal levels, along with a large number of businesses, community groups and local stakeholders, the City of Newcastle has applied leading edge technology and innovative thinking to support integrated transport networks with a focus on last-mile solutions.

Projects delivered include:

The transformation of a CBD-fringe carpark into an E-transit hub, providing a pilot for reducing city-centre private car usage and accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles.
Deployment of a public EV charging network and transition of Council fleet to EV
Renewably powered electric bike-share docks
Deployment of an autonomous shuttle connecting the Light Rail to city and beachside destinations
On Demand public shuttles in the city centre integrated with the Newcastle Transport network and designed as a first/last mile solution to promote public transport patronage and reduce private car use; and
Installation of digital bus timetables at key bus stops, deployment of intelligent radars that collect data on traffic, bike and pedestrian travel, and delivery of a smart parking application.

Northern Beaches Council (NSW) – Move Northern Beaches Transport Strategy

Transport is responsible for 29% of carbon emissions on the Northern Beaches. Behind electricity, it is our second largest carbon emissions sector. As we work towards a zero carbon future we know that big changes are needed in the way we move on the Northern Beaches and we needed a strategy to get us there.

Move – The Northern Beaches Transport Strategy sets an ambitious path forward for our community to improve the way we travel around. Its 20 year vision is to “enable freedom of movement to, from and within the Northern Beaches using a safe, smart, efficient integrated and sustainable transport network”. The strategy addresses the issues of reducing congestion, provision of convenient, fast and reliable options for public transport and supports and encourages safe walking and cycling around the area. It imagines a future where cars no longer dominate our roads.

The Move Strategy is complimented by the Northern Beaches Walking Plan which is a 4 year action plan aligned to the Transport Strategy objective around the footpath network and connectivity. Further action plans are being developed, such as the Bike Plan and Parking Plan.

Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra Councils (NSW) Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network

This year Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick Councils became the first councils in Sydney and NSW to provide public on-street electric vehicle charging stations.

Launched on World Environment Day (5 June 2019), this public on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging network comprises seven charging stations located in key destination hotspots across Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Now EV drivers can charge their cars whilst shopping in Double Bay, beachside at Bondi, attending sporting games at Coogee oval or at during events at community facilities.

The transport sector contributes 22% of the region’s total greenhouse gas pollution and Australia is ranked second worst in an international scorecard for transport energy efficiency. EVs offer an alternative pathway – one that can be powered by renewables, reduce emissions and air pollution. With EVs gaining popularity and enablers currently lacking from other levels of government, Councils can help support this transition to zero emissions transport.

This pioneering Tri-Council project aims to make the eastern suburbs ‘EV-ready’, by addressing two main barriers to EV uptake: access to charging infrastructure and drivers’ range anxieties. It’s a key part of the 3-Councils’ plans to reduce the region’s carbon emissions with innovative ‘smart city’ solutions. The charging stations are powered by 100% renewable energy.