Exploring the stance of state and local government departments in South East Queensland (SEQ) towards peak oil

Abstract

Oil plays a crucial role in the world's economy, and is often referred to as the 'lifeblood of modern civilisation' or'black oxygen' (Maass 2005, p.i; Hirsch et al. 2005, p.8). The discovery of oil in the mid 19th century facilitated rapid economic and industrial growth around the world, and helped shape today's society. But oil is a non-renewable resource, and whilst its demand is growing, production is expected to reach a peak—'Peak Oil'—and then start an irreversible decline under current technology and alternative resource scenarios (Hirsch et al. 2005). The vulnerability of places like Australia's capital city metropolitan regions to peaking in global oil production is high. In South-East Queensland, for example, the economic activities that generate much of the region's revenue (e.g. tourism, agriculture and service industries), are heavily dependent on oil and, thus, are susceptible to increasing prices (QESR, cited in Queensland Government 2006). The region's dispersed settlement pattern, coupled with limited provision of public transport and rapid population growth, are also contributing to its vulnerability