Answers to Questions

STATE FLEET

264 The Hon. SANDRA KANCK (30 April 2008) (Second Session). Can the Minister for Transport advise:

1. How many vehicles are currently in the state fleet?

2. How many hybrid vehicles are currently in the state fleet?

3. What plans exist to maintain or increase the percentage of hybrid vehicles?

4. How many bicycles are used in the public sector?

5. What plans exist to increase the number of bicycles in the public sector?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business): The Treasurer has provided the following information:

1. There were 8,422 vehicles in the state fleet as at 1 May 2008.

2. There were 247 hybrid vehicles in the state fleet as at 1 May 2008.

3. Hybrid vehicles will continue to be a consideration of the government in meeting its environmental targets, whilst they remain fit for purpose and cost effective to do so. Expansion of the number of vehicles of this type will be largely reliant on future production by vehicle manufacturers of suitable vehicles in the range.

The Minister for Road Safety has provided the following information:

4&5. Bicycles are used in a variety of ways in the public sector. For example, the Department for Environment and Heritage has leased bicycles to enable employees to travel between worksites and Primary Industries and Resources SA encourage the use of private bicycles for work related travel at Roma Mitchell House, Norwood and Walkerville work sites and the Office for Recreation and Sport use bicycles for work purposes at Kidman Park. The South Australia Police also conduct patrols by bicycle in the CBD, at beachside locations and at certain events.

There are a number of initiatives to increase bicycle usage and the number of bicycles in the public sector. 'Safety in Numbers, a Cycling Strategy for South Australia'has the objective of 'the government leading by example to promote cycling' and this includes a strategy to 'facilitate cycling for work purposes'. Unlike the motor vehicle fleet, which is organised in a centralised way, there is no record of the number of bicycles in the public sector. Encouraging cycling in the public sector relies on the initiative of each agency and department. It involves a process of providing education, promoting the benefits of cycling and improving facilities for cycling.

The most effective way of implementing this strategy is for government workplaces to conduct TravelSmart workplace travel plans. The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) conduct these plans with the aim of increasing cycling, walking and public transport use and reducing car use. So far, three government agencies have completed workplace travel plans, 11 are in the process of conducting plans and it is envisaged that DTEI will initiate a further four plans in the next six months.

TravelSmart workplace travel plans encourage cycling through the installation or improvement of bicycle parking and other 'end of trip' facilities. The plan involves investigations into workplace bicycle fleets and the establishment of workplace bicycle user groups.