Hawkesbury Mayor Barry Calvert is calling on the NSW Government to chose western Sydney as its trial base for a new fleet of electric buses.
Speaking as president of Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils president, Councillor Calvert said that the zero emission buses would "deliver a timely push to the region's transport network", bring significant opportunities to businesses and residents alike, while improving air quality in the region.
Transport for NSW called for tenders for the scheme in May. The trial is in line with the government's goal to "improve the sustainability of transport in NSW, including reduced carbon emissions, operational cost savings, and better customer experience".
Expressions of interest for potential trial partners close on August 3.
Councillor Calvert said the WSROC councils [including Hawkesbury] placed a priority on sustainability.
"Testament to this is the Western Sydney Energy Program (WSEP): a partnership between nine councils, co-ordinated by WSROC, which aims to reduce western Sydney's emissions by 200,000 tonnes of CO2e[i] reductions each year," he said. "This equates to taking 46,000 cars off the road annually.
"Councils participating in the Western Sydney Energy Program would welcome an opportunity to engage with the proposed electric vehicle bus fleet trials as a significant step forward in realising a regional sustainability vision as part of the region's growth transformation and an investment in Western Sydney businesses and resident workers."
Councillor Calvert said that while western Sydney was the base for many "innovative platforms for technology, industry, housing and infrastructure", the region's public transport network was incomplete, with many areas not served.
"Intra-regional transport currently falls short, creating longer commute times for resident workers and higher car dependency," he said. "As well as transport holes, Western Sydney's air quality is comparatively poorer than in parts of eastern Sydney.
"Transport planning plays a key role in improving air quality by addressing emissions, as well as realising better livability outcomes that flow from an integrated transport network - including accessibility to jobs and services.
"There is opportunity here to address these gaps in transport and health while adding to the narrative of a renewed regional vision. Western Sydney is the perfect fit for trialing new transport technologies."
