The Oil Drum: Australia/New Zealand

I must echo those sentiments, cheers Phil.

I also must have failed to inform you, that after your visit to Darebin City Council and after working with Michelle Bennett (Senior Environmental Policy Adviser) and Libby Hynes (General Manager, Environment and Amenity Department), Darebin City Council has now formally considered the issue of Peak Oil, and released a media statement on 20 Feburary 2008 which states:

Council responds to Peak Oil Challenge

Darebin Council is taking proactive steps to prepare for the implications of Peak Oil, a challenge that will see massive changes across the globe.

Peak Oil refers to the time at which global petrol production peaks and then begins to decline, resulting in rising costs and restricted supplies of petroleum. The exact time when this will occur is uncertain, however, there is growing consensus that it will happen soon, possibly as early as 2010.

Declining petrol production will affect many aspects of our community, including transport, food security and the production of petroleum-based products such as plastics and pharmaceuticals.

After considering the issue, Council has resolved to continue Darebin’s current programs that address Peak Oil impacts, increase community education and advocate to State and Federal Governments.

Council will also seek funding in the 2008/09 budget to develop a risk management assessment and a Peak Oil Strategy.

Darebin Mayor, Cr Peter Stephenson, said, “Addressing the impact of Peak Oil is crucial not just for our own community but for the whole world. Our current lifestyles are very dependent on petroleum products - for transport, food production and many products that we take for granted. While the world may well be a much better place when we are less dependent on oil it is how we make the transition that is critical. We need to plan now to have adequate alternatives in place and to make sure that the disadvantaged members of society aren't the hardest hit."

“At Darebin we already have many programs in place to help reduce Council's and our communities dependence on petrol. These include our comprehensive transport strategies, energy-efficiency programs for the Council fleet, food security initiatives, an environmental purchasing policy and community education programs.

“However, to effectively address the Peak Oil challenges it is essential that action also occurs at the broader levels. We will advocate to State and Federal Government regarding the urgency of the issue and the need for action,” Cr Stephenson said.

“Peak Oil will have a huge impact on everyone and we encourage other organisations and individuals to follow our lead and start planning for it now.”

So, despite my imput, I cannot claim much credit for the work done to have the council formally consider Peak Oil. However, credit where credit's due so thanks so much to ASPO and the Municipal Association of Victoria's working group on Peak Oil who provided me and therefore Michelle and Libby with the 'amo' needed to present the case. As stated in the above media release, funding will be sought in Council's next budget. But funding is not yet guarenteed. In the presentation to Council, part of what is needed is a Risk Management Assessment and the development of a peak oil strategy costing in the order of $30,000AUD. Once this is completed, the next stage is to create an Oil Depletion target and commit to reducing Council's petroleum use by 3% per year and/or set a 2020 or 2025 reduction target. The strategy would also scope gaps and opportunities, and identify additional actions for supporting the Darebin community to transition to Peak Oil. (Estimated cost $20,000). There's more in this regarding what we want and, ofcourse, the critical issues facing Council and the community including what's already being done but that can wait for another post.

So that's where we are at.
Philip Knight.