Oil vulnerability mitigation
Queensland’s oil vulnerability
Queenslanders in general, like the rest of the world, are heavily dependent on oil to drive our economy and shape our lifestyles.
Oil is the key raw material for petrol, diesel, jet fuel, industrial oils, numerous chemicals and most plastics. Many industries are dependent on oil in ways that are not immediately apparent.
For example, our systems for producing and distributing food rely heavily on oil, not only for fuel for farming machinery and transport, but also for producing fertilisers and as a raw ingredient for agrichemicals, packaging plastics and so on.
The more dependent we are on oil, the more vulnerable we are to increases in oil prices and declines in supply.
The size and regionally dispersed nature of Queensland’s population and regionally distributed industry base creates a heavy reliance on oil, particularly oil-based transport and freight. The effects of increasing production costs in these key sectors will, in turn, result in higher food and commodity costs for all Queenslanders.
Given the vulnerability of Queensland industries and communities to sustained high oil prices, the Queensland Government is taking a risk management approach and preparing now.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is presently preparing the Queensland Oil Vulnerability Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan (the strategy) as Queensland’s response to the key recommendation of the Oil Vulnerability Taskforce Report (2007).
The oil strategy will include actions to help industry and community lessen their reliance on liquid fuels and prepare for demographic and regional changes as Queenslanders alter travel, work and living habits.
The EPA intends to finalise the Strategy by mid 2009. The Queensland Government has prepared an information paper ‘Towards Oil Resilience’ as the first step in developing policy options for inclusion in the strategy. Your feedback on matters raised in the information paper is welcome. The process for making a submission is outlined at the back of the information paper.
In addition, in February 2008 the Environmental Protection Agency commissioned consultants Heuris Partners Ltd to prepare a report outlining risks and opportunities for Queensland in relation to increased oil prices.
Heuris Partners have developed an interim research paper that draws on currently available data and modelling. The paper suggests further work required to evaluate and refine possible initiatives to reduce Queensland’s vulnerability to rising oil prices and supply volatility. This information will help the EPA develop the strategy.
Information paper
This information paper suggests some of the ways that Queensland can prepare for future oil shortages and volatile prices, while ensuring Queenslanders maintain a prosperous, secure and high quality lifestyle. The paper is an information document that is not government policy.
This paper provides a background to the global oil issue and identifies challenges and opportunities for Queensland. Three key suggested areas for action include:
- Creating oil-resilient transport networks
- Promoting a sustainable fuel supply
- Planning for oil-resilient towns and cities
This paper is part of an ongoing process to develop an Oil Vulnerability Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan for Queensland that is planned for completion mid next year.
This paper is the first step in developing policy options for inclusion in the Oil Vulnerability Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan.
Your input to this process is welcomed. The process for making a submission is outlined at the back of the information paper.
Download “Towards oil resilience – community information paper” (PDF, 1.1MB).
Research paper
In October 2007 a report from the Queensland Oil Vulnerability Taskforce was tabled in Parliament ( the McNamara Report link to McNamara Report). Following the McNamara Report, in February 2008 the Environmental Protection Agency commissioned consultants Heuris Partners Ltd to prepare a report outlining risks and opportunities for Queensland in relation to increased oil prices, which would inform the development of an oil vulnerability mitigation strategy and action plan (the strategy).
Heuris Partners have developed an interim research paper that provides an overview of a range of critical issues relevant to developing the strategy, including:
- possible broad principles and approaches to managing the inherent risks and uncertainties about the timing and net impacts of peak oil on Queensland
- projections of Queensland’s vulnerability to the potential impacts of peak oil, drawing on currently available data and modelling
The research paper is an independent paper that does not purport to be an exhaustive model based analysis of the risks to Queensland arising from a peak oil environment, nor does it present the full range of appropriate policy responses.
Download “Oil Vulnerability Strategy/Action Plan for Queensland: Research Paper” (PDF, 1.3MB).
McNamara Report
The McNamara Report can be downloaded here.
Last updated: 12 September 2008
