Where do we stand

Transport consumes over a third of total power in NSW. Each car contributes a quarter of your annual personal carbon dioxide emission, which is around 17 tonnes per year per person, while each litre of fuel consumed produces 2.5kg of CO2. Compare this to 100 per cent biodiesel which produces only .5kg of CO2 per litre.

It is also interesting to consider that your car consumes 25 per cent more fuel at 110kmh than it does at 90kmh.

Primary school students on bicycles, and mum with baby on bicycle trailer

Above, left: Primary school students taking part in an Active Transport Day. Above right: Cycling is one of the most fun and healthy ways to get around.

Great changes in the Great Lakes

Primary Schools in Forster Tuncurry have been participating in Active Transport Days. Organised by the Great Lakes Cycle Action Group (BUGS) children, and accompanying adults, have been encouraged to use their own ‘lean power’ to ride or walk to school to keep fit and save greenhouse gases by keeping cars off the road. See the Transport Local Directory for more details.

Over to you

Why not walk

Did you know sedentary lifestyles are resulting in alarming health risks? To stay healthy we need to spend at least 30 minutes a day doing moderate physical activity. If we drive less and take more active forms of transport we can improve our health and wellbeing, generate fewer carbon emissions and reduce pollution.

On your bike

Cycling is one of the most fun and healthy ways to get around. It's an activity that can be undertaken by people of all ages and levels of fitness. There are many bicycle routes around urban and regional areas, and hundreds of kilometres of cycle paths under construction or in the planning stages. Forster Tuncurry has also started a Bike Bus group to encourage people, especially children, to become more reliant on bicycles as transport.

Convert to LPG

The Government will pay a subsidy of up to $2000 if you convert your vehicle to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and offers rebates of up to $1000 on new cars fitted with LPG. LPG kits are readily available in many newer models, with no reduction in power but up to 50 per cent increase in efficiency, up to 15 per cent less CO2 production, 80 per cent reduction in toxic emissions and almost zero particulate pollution. You can have your car converted right here in Forster. See the Transport Local Directory for details.

Public transport

Use public transport whenever possible including trips to Newcastle and Sydney. Lobby your Great Lakes Council and local members of State and Federal Parliament to improve public transport in our area.

Maintenance

Keep your vehicle well maintained with regular services. Especially have your tyres checked more frequently as this will enhance your fuel efficiency and save you hundreds of dollars each year in fuel and new tyre costs. Correctly inflated tyres last much longer than if they are under or over inflated and are essential to safety.

Driving style and speed

Try to accelerate smoothly and change manual car gears at 2500 rpm for petrol cars and 2000rpm for diesel. Try to anticipate traffic flow and start to slow down earlier to reduce the need for braking. Your car also consumes 25 per cent more fuel at 110kmh than it does at 90kmh.

Air-conditioning

Avoid using air-conditioning if you are travelling under 60 to 70kmh and put down your windows. For speeds over 70 to 80kmh, using air-conditioning is better than having windows down due to the drag created.

Fuels

Learn about other fuel options. Can you start to use petrol with ethanol? Mostly the answer is yes you can, and yes it produces much less CO2. It can be produced by all types of crops and woods (Bio-fuel).
Diesel is now 20 to 30 per cent more efficient than petrol and can reduce your carbon emission by 50 to 80 per cent, thus will reduce global warming and save you quite a few dollars. Think about this when you buy your next car.

Recycle your oil

Used engine or sump oil can readily be recycled and treated at specialised industrial plants. Make sure you dispose of any old oil properly. Your local mechanic can advise where to dispose of old oil. See the Transport Local Directory for locations.

Car pool

Try to car pool whenever possible. Start to be more open to invite others for regular trips to clubs, golf or work. Occasional inconveniences are worth the effort and you may even make a new friend.

Lighten your load

Remove any items from your car which are not immediately required including additional spare tyres, roof racks which cause drag, and excess fuel.

Plan your trip

If you need to use your car, start to plan your trip to do several errands enroute to save additional wasted trips.

Greenfleet

It's essential to reduce your transport carbon emissions, but if travel by car is a necessity then this might work for you. Greenfleet is a non-profit organisation which provides a simple way to reduce your car's impact on the environment. For $40 (tax deductible), Greenfleet will plant 17 native trees on your behalf. These trees will help to create forests, and absorb carbon emissions. See the link below for contact details.

New cars

If you are going to buy a new car, check the Government's website www.greenvehicle.gov.au to compare emissions. Remember, larger cars and those with bigger engines often consume more fuel, which not only increases your fuel bills, but increases the level of carbon emissions. If you are in a showroom take a close look at the Fuel Consumption Label.

Hybrids are still a little more expensive but worth it for the sake of the environment. Green Diesel powered vehicles are now one of the best options with great savings in fuel costs and much lower CO2 emissions.

Find out more

Websites

www.biodiesel.org.au - Biodiesel Association of Australia
www.lpgaustralia.com.au — information on LPG
www.ausindustry.gov.au — information on the LPG Vehicle Scheme
www.greenvehicles.gov.au — information on Government recommendations
www.greenfleet.com.au — GreenFleet program
www.travelsmart.gov.au — Travel Smart
www.forsterbus.com.au — public transport in Forster
www.railmaps.com.au — train information
www.newcastle.edu.au/service/transport/pdf/122&123.pdf — public transport to Newcastle (PDF file)
www.epa.vic.gov.au/Air/CarEcometer — test your vehicle's efficiency

Books

From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank by Joshua Tickell

Next: Transport Local Directory