Greens call on Newman to come clean on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

4 November 2007

On Sunday 4 November  4000 Brisbane people will view progress on the North
South Bypass Tunnel.

The Mayor and ALP are taking no responsibility for the immense greenhouse
gas emissions to be released from tunnel construction. The tunnel involves
energy inputs in extraction of rock and soil, transport of spoil out and
construction materials in, the embedded energy in construction material such
as steel and concrete,  and the needs of workers.

Greens Lord Mayoral Candidate Ms Jo Bragg said today,

“The 4.2 billion dollar tunnel construction project involves massive use of
fossil fuels. Yet nowhere has Campbell Newman publicly highlighted or
debated the Greenhouse gas emissions from construction of the Tunnel even
though he is an engineer and knows how energy intensive big projects are. I
challenge Campbell Newman to release the figures for greenhouse gas
emissions from the NSBT construction. But we know he prefers to not to talk
about them.

Mr Brian Clark a chartered energy engineer who has lectured in energy
analysis has done an analysis of the greenhouse gas footprint of the Tunnel
construction  project based on its cost and estimates. He estimates the
Greenhouse emissions from building the tunnel to be approximately 30 million
tonnes of C02.

Ms Bragg said, “Even if the trip time reduction figures in the Tunnel EIS
for car drivers were correct (and  we consider they are wrong) it will take
decades before those possible savings balance the massive greenhouse gas
emissions from the tunnel construction.”

“Campbell Newman and the ALP  are disgracefully spending our money on mega
tunnels without even coming clean on the greenhouse gas emissions caused by
construction. Tunnels disturb communities & produce dirty emissions that
encourage respiratory problems as well. We want more public transport, cycle
paths, buses and light rail instead.

This is why Brisbane needs a true Green voice in Council

Contact: Jo Bragg
Greens Lord Mayoral candidate for Brisbane
3846 5965       
0406 916 657
Profile http://qld.greens.org.au/lg/bcc/mayor/

Details of Mr. Brian Clark
Mr Brian Clark is a Brisbane Chartered Energy Engineer of 40 years standing.
He has lectured in the use of energy analysis for construction projects
large and small.
Ms Bragg has his contact details.