Drivers face fuel ration shock

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23710412-952,00.html
Brian Williams and Graham Redfearn

May 17, 2008

FUEL rationing may be one in a series of shocks facing drivers and commuters in
Queensland.

Looming oil shortages would produce the biggest change in society since the
industrial revolution, Sustainability Minister Andrew 
McNamara warned yesterday.

A report by Mr McNamara for state Cabinet on the impact of the fuel crisis is
expected to include recommendations on rationing, the 
future of public and private transport and sustainable population issues.

It has been ordered on the premise there is overwhelming evidence world oil
production will peak in under a decade. It is expected 
to recommend risk mitigation measures such as cuts in fuel consumption and
encouraging the development and use of alternative fuels, 
technologies and strategies.

It will also outline demographic and regional changes as Queenslanders change
travel, work and living habits.

"I think people are going to be in for a shock when they find it's too expensive
to drive their cars to work and then, when they get 
down to the station, they find the train is full and they can't get on board,"
Mr McNamara said.

To underscore his concerns Mr McNamara will appear in a documentary film
premiering next week in which he says the days when 
Queenslanders could "travel on a whim" in oil-powered vehicles are numbered.

The documentary Australia Pumping Empty, argues southeast Queensland is
squandering billions on road, bridge and tunnel projects 
which few will be able to afford to travel on.

Mr McNamara says he will recommend the State Government focuses urgently on ways
to cut private-car use.

"I cannot overstate this - we need to adopt a wartime mentality," he said.
"We're going to face a level of urgency that will require 
dramatic change."

Private car use was expected to trend towards hybrid vehicles and then to
electric. "But will we have enough (electricity 
generating) capacity when everyone comes home and plugs their cars in to
recharge?" he said.

Mr McNamara said no government would want to introduce fuel rationing but it
could not be ruled out.

It might become an option as fuel supplies ran down and prices rose because
otherwise it might be a case of only the rich being able 
to afford private transport, he said.

"We face the need for a whole new economy, from the way we generate power, to
how we deliver water, to how we live," he said.

Jan Rasmussen