Key Greenhouse Response Strategy in Energy and Transport for Australia: A Discussion Paper

3.5 Based on national model codes developed by the Commonwealth (see Action 2.2), legislate for mandatory energy performance standards for all homes, with new and renovated homes to meet standards forthwith and existing homes to achieve specified standards increasing in 5-year steps.

3.6 Mandate that electric hot water services in mainland Australia be sold packaged with a lifetime Green Power purchasing requirement. The purchase package would have to include the installation of a meter in cases where it is not already connected.

3.7 Renegotiate contracts with aluminium smelters to remove de facto subsidies for electricity and infrastructure. Use part of the savings to facilitate the creation of new jobs in any region in which a smelter is subsequently closed down.

3.8 Reform the pricing of access to and use of electricity transmission and distribution grids, in order to stop overcharging small generators of electricity that connect to grids.

3.9 Remove road agencies’ planning powers and guaranteed funding, and strengthen powers and funding of Departments of Transport and/or Urban Planning.

3.10 Using the funding from the proposed federal TEA-type legislation (see Action 2.10), improve infrastructure, service frequency and service quality of urban rail, both heavy and light.

3.11 Increase taxes on car parking (from zero in some states) in city centres & sub-centres that are well served by public transport, and hypothecate the revenue to local governments for the purpose of providing facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.

3.12 Create and enforce an extensive network of transit lanes in cities.

3.13 Work with the Commonwealth to implement a national system of mass and distance charges for heavy trucks, as in New Zealand, for Australia’s populous zone only (see Action 2.12).

3.14 Develop and implement integrated ticketing and fares for public transport within cities, so that passengers are charged according to distance travelled (except in the central regions of cities where a flat fare is appropriate) and are not charged extra for transfers between modes or between publicly and privately operated services.

3.15 Set up statutory Public Transport Advisory Committees in every local government area with membership comprising representatives from State and Local Government, public transport providers, and members of the public. (see Actions 2.7, 4.3 and 4.4).

3.16 From part of the economic savings achieved by other measures, create a substantial fund for cycleways and bicycle parking at key local destinations including railway stations, schools, and shopping centres.