CASE 5 Brisbane, Australia

Actions on Climate Change and highlighting the need to shift to a new form in a Rapidly Growing City of water management. in a Subtropical Region In 2007, the Brisbane City Council issued Brisbane’s Plan for Action on Climate Change With 2 percent population growth in 2006–07, and Energy, which delineates the selected Brisbane, the capital of the State of Queensland, actions to be achieved in the short term (about was one of the most rapidly growing capital cit- 18 months) and the long term (more than ies in Australia (ABS 2008). The population of fi ve years) (see Brisbane City Council 2007b). Brisbane in 2007 was approximately 1.01 million, Brisbane has three major challenges: climate making it the fi rst local government area in Aus- change, high peak oil demand, and greenhouse tralia to exceed the milestone of 1 million people gas emissions (see Brisbane City Council 2007c). (ABS 2008). Brisbane is among the top 10 most Analyses suggest that, if Brisbane responds rapidly growing cities in the countries of the intelligently to these challenges, the city may Organisation for Economic Co-operation and generate signifi cant economic benefi ts by Development and the second most rapidly grow- developing sustainable industries, while saving ing city in the western world (Brisbane City resources. Brisbane is actively introducing vari- Council 2006). Brisbane’s population is expect- ous approaches to sustainable development. ed to continue to grow over the next two decades In addition, in the city’s “Our Shared Vision: (Brisbane City Council 2006).1 Living in Brisbane 2026” policy document, au- Since 2000, Brisbane has experienced in- thorities have committed to cutting greenhouse creased electricity consumption and annual gas emissions in half, reusing all wastewater, growth in peak electricity loads (Brisbane and restoring 40 percent of the natural habitat City Council 2007a).2 Because the city has a by 2026 (Brisbane City Council 2006). subtropical climate, increased domestic air- conditioning has been a major factor prompting higher demand for electricity, along with poor The Ecological and Economic housing design, an energy-intensive economy, Benefi ts of the CitySmart Program and growth in population and disposable income (Brisbane City Council 2007a). The demand for To implement actions in Brisbane’s Plan for electricity is expected to rise consistently through Action on Climate Change and Energy, offi cials 2030. Brisbane is also experiencing a shortage have initiated the Green Heart CitySmart Pro- of potable water during a period of growth and gram (Brisbane City Council 2009a). The pro- climate change that is straining water resources gram introduces residents and businesses to

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1000 km. PACIFIC Profi le of Brisbane OCEAN

Brisbane • Capital city of the state of Queensland, Australia AUSTRALIA • Population (2007): 1.01 million Brisbane • Population increase (2006–07): 2.0 percent • The largest populated local government area in Australia Canberra • Brisbane is located on a coastal plain in southeast Queensland. The eastern

suburbs line the shores of Moreton Bay, and the city’s central business AUSTRALIA Tasman district is only 27 km from the mouth of the bay. INDIAN Sea OCEAN • Brisbane is a subtropical river city and has hot, humid summers and dry, IBRD 37447 mild winters. JANUARY 2010 Map 3.7 Location of Brisbane Source: Map Design Unit, General Services Department, World Bank.

practical and aff ordable ways to implement ac- 4.5 tons by 2026. To encourage household par- tions indicated in the climate change action ticipation, the city off ers rebates and grants sup- plan. These practical tips help residents and porting environmentally sustainable projects businesses become energy and resource effi - (box 3.3). The city recommends that homes re- cient, thus improving the environment and sav- duce their greenhouse gas emissions, particular- ing money (box 3.2). ly by installing solar hot water systems (rebates

For instance, residents are off ered tips on hot available) to reduce up to 3 tons of CO2, under- water use, heating and cooling, waste disposal, taking energy audits and monitoring (rebates

lighting and electronic appliances, bathroom and available) to reduce up to 3 tons of CO2, and con- laundry facilities, house renovations, urban gar- necting to GreenPower (renewable energy from dening, the installation of rainwater tanks, and so government accredited sources) to save up to 9

on. Moreover, Brisbane aims to reduce the an- tons of CO2. nual carbon footprint of an average household Brisbane’s trees are vital in protecting and

from 16 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) in 2006 to improving the urban environment. Trees pro-

BOX 3.2 BOX 3.3

The Measures in the CitySmart Examples of Grants and Rebates for Program in Brisbane Environmentally Sustainable Home • Shifting to energy-effi cient light fi ttings Projects in Brisbane • Installing rainwater tanks in homes • $A 50 rebate on the installation of home energy • Using more effi cient air-conditioners monitors • Continuing to recycle and preserve water • $A 400 rebate on solar hot water systems • Installing solar panels and solar hot water sys- • Rebates for installing rainwater tanks with inter- tems nal connections to toilets and cold water wash- • Signing up for green energy ing machine taps • Thinking about alternative public transportation • Funding up to $A 50,000 to local nonprofi t com- solutions munity groups for the installation of devices to • Reducing vehicle emissions save energy and water • Implementing the 2 Million Trees Project Source: Brisbane City Council (2009c). Source: Brisbane City Council (2009b). Note: The information is current as of May 2009.

214 | ECO2 CITIES: ECOLOGICAL CITIES AS ECONOMIC CITIES vide shade and transpire water to cool the air Urban Development in Brisbane and surface temperatures. In subtropical cities, it is important to identify ways to become less As in many other cities in Australia, most of Bris- dependent on air-conditioners to reduce energy bane’s citizens reside in detached homes built in use and carbon emissions. Shade allows more low-density suburbs outside the city boundaries people to enjoy outdoor activities. Trees absorb (Dingle 1999). The suburban lifestyle in Austra- greenhouse gases, including CO2, and remove lia is highly dependent on private motor vehicles pollutants from the air. In addition, trees reduce because, for the past 50 years, suburbs have been storm water runoff and evaporation, an impor- built on the assumption that most people will tant outcome in cities in which water resources not need public transportation services (New- need protection. Brisbane city offi cials have man 1999). The shape of Brisbane demonstrates provided 133,000 free plants to residents to this dependence. Peak oil prices have multiple maintain the city’s unique subtropical land- implications for Brisbane’s economy and society scape. Furthermore, the city is committed to and increase the need for fuel-effi cient vehicles planting two million trees between 2008 and and public transportation options. For many 2012. People involved in this eff ort will restore years, the problem of urban sprawl has been ad- bushland on a large scale, cultivate new trees dressed for reasons other than peak oil prices. along streets, and support the greening of land- Local and regional planning has incorporated fi ll and infrastructure sites (Brisbane City Coun- the principles of transport-oriented develop- cil 2009d). ment, which aims to promote the development The Brisbane City Council aims to be carbon of mixed residential and employment zones to neutral in its daily operations by 2026 by adher- maximize the effi cient use of land through a ing to sustainability principles in its offi ces and high level of access to public transportation facilities. As a result, public sector electricity (Brisbane City Council 2009f ). However, the re- use and greenhouse gas emissions have already sults are still mixed; economic structures and decreased (table 3.7). The city council also traditional housing preferences do not always actively engages residents and businesses to coincide with these planning initiatives (Bris- promote actions that reduce negative environ- bane City Council 2009b). mental impacts.

Table 3.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Electricity Use by the Brisbane City Council, Fiscal Years 2005–2008 INDICATOR 2005 2006 2007 2008 Net greenhouse gas emissions (tons of equivalent carbon dioxide) — 441,850 376,471 — Direct emissionsa — 199,284 180,255 — Indirect emissions arising from the consumption of electricity, heat, and steam — 218,988 205,669 — Other indirect emissions — 30,1 48 40,864 — GreenPowerb — (6,570) (53,317) — Offsets — — (95,000) —

Electricity use (megawatt hours) 224,603 209,357 200,719 —

GreenPower purchased (percent) 6 6 25 50

Source: Brisbane City Council 2009e. Note: — = not available; FY = fi scal year. a. Direct emissions are from transport (trucks, buses, ferries); manufacturing (for example, asphalt production); and the on-site generation of energy, heat, steam, electricity, and fugitive emissions from landfi ll and wastewater treatment. b. GreenPower is renewable energy that comes from the sun, wind, and waste. GreenPower produces no greenhouse gas emissions; the energy must be supplied by government- accredited sources.

THE FIELD REFERENCE GUIDE | 215 Urban Renewal Brisbane is a US$4 billion penalties for overuse) and subsidizing rainwa- program to revitalize specifi c areas of the inner ter tanks. Brisbane has also pursued integrated city (Brisbane City Council 2009g). The program water cycle management encompassing water has been implemented in several urban areas, provision, wastewater treatment, storm water including Brisbane City Center (the central busi- management, and strategic land management. ness district). It has incorporated innovative Poor land management in water catchments principles and practices, such as high-quality results in lower-quality water and higher water urban designs, modern construction, mixed land treatment costs. As a subtropical city, Brisbane use, higher-density development, diverse transit is endowed with creeks, waterways, and rich options, and enhanced accessibility. biodiversity. The city is working to restore the The Brisbane City Council is working with health of its waterways and creeks through var- the development industry to promote sustain- ious means, including removing weeds, encour- able living and working environments. The city aging communities to plant native seedlings, council has developed guidelines to help archi- and reducing illegal dumping by sponsoring tects, engineers, planners, developers, and build- community campaigns (for example, see Bris- ers incorporate principles that promote sustain- bane City Council 2007d). ability in development applications. While such principles off er broad markers for sustainable development, the guidelines explain ways to Public Transportation: apply them practically. For example, the build- Bus Rapid Transit Systems ings in Brisbane used to be designed to be open to breezes, with overhead ceiling fans, shaded Brisbane has two bus rapid transit systems: the areas, and good circulation. However, recent de- Brisbane South East Busway, which opened in signs depend on air-conditioners that are energy 2001, and the Brisbane Inner-Northern Busway, dependent. Today, Brisbane is promoting new which opened in 2004. These systems fall approaches to urban construction and spatial de- under the jurisdiction of the Queensland gov- signs that create attractive living environments ernment and Queensland Transport, which is and walkable areas in this subtropical city. committed to public transportation provision to support growth and connectivity in greater Brisbane. They are designed to provide public The Water Cycle and Water transportation services to areas that existing Catchment Management rail lines (Queensland Rail) do not cover. The Brisbane South East Busway connects Bris- Brisbane’s growing population is increasing bane’s central business district to the city’s pressure on the city’s supply of potable water. sprawling southeastern suburbs. The busways The average annual rainfall in southeast Queens- are two-lane, bidirectional roads used exclu- land is about 1,200 millimeters (compared with sively by buses and emergency vehicles. This 2,400 millimeters in Singapore). Although permits buses to bypass congestion. The system higher than in other Australian cities, Brisbane’s also provides high-quality, well-designed bus rainfall is less predictable, and careful water re- stations with good pedestrian access (Queens- source management is required. In recent years, land Transport 2008). drought has become a serious national problem. Busways reduce the growth of car traffi c on States with authority in water management roadways mainly because of their greater carry- may undertake measures to conserve water, in- ing capacity. One motorway lane may accommo- cluding by applying water use restrictions (with date 2,000 passengers per hour, but one busway

216 | ECO2 CITIES: ECOLOGICAL CITIES AS ECONOMIC CITIES lane is able to carry 15,000 passengers per hour. 2. The State of Queensland experienced a 53 percent In addition, busways signifi cantly reduce travel increase in electricity consumption and an 8 percent annual increase in peak load growth over the time. For example, a typical route that takes 60 10 years between 1997 and 2007. minutes on a Brisbane motorway is reduced to 18 minutes by riding a bus on the South East Busway. Fewer cars and less travel time decrease References vehicular emissions, which helps mitigate cli- mate change and improve air quality. In general, ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics). 2008. “Regional less time commuting translates into greater Population Growth, Australia, 2006–07.” Catalogue urban productivity and economic activity. The 3218.0, ABS, Canberra, March 31. bus rapid transit systems also aff ect land devel- Brisbane City Council. 2006. “Our Shared Vision: Living in Brisbane 2026.” Brisbane City Council, opment. Along the South East Busway, property Brisbane, Australia. http://www.brisbane.qld.gov. values within six miles of bus stations have risen au/bccwr/about_council/documents/vision2026_ as much as 20 percent; moreover, the rates of fi nal_fulldocument.pdf. growth in property values have been two to ———. 2007a. “Brisbane Long Term Infrastructure Plan.” Brisbane City Council, Brisbane, Australia. three times higher in these areas than in areas http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/bccwr/plans_ farther from stations (Currie 2006). and_strategies/documents/brisbane_long_term_ infrastructure_plan.pdf. ———. 2007b. “Brisbane’s Plan for Action on Climate Lesson Learned in the Brisbane Case Change and Energy.” Brisbane City Council, Brisbane, Australia. http://www.brisbane.qld.gov. au/bccwr/environment/documents/brisbane_ Brisbane has responded to its unique local situa- climate_change_and_energy_action_plan.pdf. tion as a subtropical city under growth pres- ———. 2007c. “Climate Change and Energy Taskforce sures. Climate change has already started to Report; Final Report: A Call for Action.” Maunsell Australia Pty Ltd, Milton, Queensland, Australia, aff ect the city. Water is scarce, and temperatures March 12. are higher. Responding to its natural conditions, ———. 2007d. “Know Your Creek; Moggill Creek: Brisbane protects water resources, plants trees Improving Our Waterways from Backyard to Bay.” to improve its urban ecology, and promotes a Brisbane City Council Information, Brisbane City Council, Brisbane, Australia. http://www.brisbane. sustainable built environment. These actions qld.gov.au/bccwr/environment/documents/ save money for the city and its residents. Many know_your_creek_moggill_2008.pdf. developing-country cities are in tropical and hot ———. 2009a. “Green Heart CitySmart Home.” Brisbane climates and may be vulnerable to climatic City Council, Brisbane, Australia. http://www. change. Some cities may be highly dependent on brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:CITY_SMART::pc= PC_2796. air-conditioning, which is relatively energy con- ———. 2009b. “Message from the Lord Mayor.” Brisbane suming compared with other viable strategies. City Council, Brisbane, Australia. http://www. In this context, Brisbane’s measures and actions brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:CITY_SMART::pc= may provide good examples for how cities might PC_2803. respond to such challenges, while remaining ———. 2009c. “Grants and Rebates.” Brisbane City Council, Brisbane, Australia. http://www.brisbane. ecologically and economically vibrant. qld.gov.au/BCC:CITY_SMART::pc=PC_5014. ———. 2009d. “2 Million Trees Project.” Brisbane City Council, Brisbane, Australia. http://www.brisbane. Notes qld.gov.au/BCC:CITY_SMART::pc=PC_2645. ———. 2009e. “What Council Is Aiming For.” Brisbane City Council, Brisbane, Australia. http://www. 1. The State of Queensland will have to accommo- brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:CITY_SMART::pc= date 1 million new residents over the next two PC_5475. decades, 25 percent of whom will arrive in Brisbane.

THE FIELD REFERENCE GUIDE | 217 ———. 2009f. “Urban Renewal Glossary.” Brisbane Richard Harris and Peter J. Larkheim, 189–201. City Council, Brisbane, Australia. http://www. London: Routledge. brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE::pc=PC_1745. Newman, Peter. 1999. “Transport: Reducing Automo- ———. 2009g. “Urban Renewal Brisbane.” Brisbane City bile Dependence.” In The Earthscan Reader in Council, Brisbane, Australia. http://www.brisbane. Sustainable Cities, ed. David Satterthwaite, 173–98. qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE::pc=PC_1727. London: Earthscan Publications. Currie, Graham. 2006. “Bus Rapid Transit in Austral- Queensland Transport. 2008. “South East Busway: asia: Performance, Lessons Learned, and Futures.” Planning to Springwood; Project Guide.” Queens- Journal of Public Transportation 9 (3): 1–22. land Transport, Queensland Government, Dingle, Tony. 1999. “‘Gloria Soame’: The Spread of Brisbane, Australia. http://www.transport.qld.gov. Suburbia in Post-War Australia.” In Changing au/resources/fi le/eb6b7c0e3065e66/Pdf_seb_ Suburbs: Foundation, Form and Function, ed. project_guide.pdf.

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