Please sign BOTH these petitions if you are 18 years plus. One petition is for Brisbane residents to the Lord Mayor. One petition is for Queensland residents to the State Parliament.

 

Update 26 June 2010 - Media Release - Community continues call for sustainable transport in lead up to public forum

Local environment group, Sustainable Jamboree is thrilled that around 400 people have signed their two petitions calling for more sustainable transport investment to tackle Centenary’s traffic congestion.

Chief Petitioner and Convenor of Sustainable Jamboree, Ngaire McGaw said, “We’re very grateful to the community for helping us speak out by taking the time to sign up though we hope more people will join our campaign.”

“The petition followed launches of other contrasting petitions in late May that called for more car-based infrastructure,” Mrs McGaw said.”

“But research shows that more road space simply generates more traffic and more greenhouse gas emissions. It’s concerning because oil prices are creeping up and offshore drilling likely to be less common after the Mexican Gulf BP Oil disaster,” she said.

“In contrast to the other petitions, ours call for both levels of governments to immediately plan and publicly consult for sustainable transport solutions to traffic congestion,” she said.

Some of the options being flagged by Sustainable Jamboree include transit lanes, high frequency express buses, train connections, better access to telecommuting and flexible work conditions, and greater provisions for walking and cycling.

“The thrilling thing is that soon after our petition commenced, the Queensland Government announced a new Office for Sustainable Transport and the fast tracking of the train line to Springfield which will take pressure off the Centenary Highway,” she said.

“Still, we need to keep the pressure on and the petitions remain open – one is for Brisbane residents, the other for all Queensland residents. The results have the potential to build momentum in the lead up to a Citizens Public Transport Forum on Saturday 4 September at Central Railway Station,” Mrs McGaw said.

 A Sustainable Jamboree supporter, Dr John Nightingale is to be one the presenters at the forum. Participants can register online at

Residents can request a hard copy of the petitions from Mrs McGaw on phone 3375 7268 or 0400 141 040

There are currently other petitions in the news and out now calling for urgent action in relation to traffic in the Centenary area.

Our petitions take an alternative approach. Sure, we need to improve commuting speeds but we also need to reduce pollution now.

For our children’s future, it's important that any transport congestion solutions are sustainable, low carbon and prioritise things like high frequency, convenient, low cost, reliable bus services and bus lanes - not just locally but throughout Brisbane.

Congestion on the Centenary Highway is worsening and we need faster commuting times. Local residents have an opportunity to show Queensland that we want a blend of smart, sustainable solutions like:
•    transit lanes (sooner rather than later);
•    reliable high frequency express buses / train connections;
•    better access to telecommuting and flexible work conditions;
•    a better suburban cycle network, end of trip facilities, bicycle skills training, buddy systems and so on.

Congestion solutions need to be mindful of the polluting and dangerous effects of putting more cars on the road - a proven by-product of providing more road space for single occupancy vehicles. We need to find NEW and lower cost faster solutions as our population grows.

Please call on our governments to deliver innovative sustainable transport solutions to the Centenary traffic congestion by signing both these petitions.

Sign this petition using the online form on our website or contact us via our web contact page to request hard copies though a local mailout is underway. Personal information will be treated with respect.