Travelsmart Noosa Workplaces

TravelSmart Noosa Workplace projects, provide staff with encouragement and information about environmentally friendly transport such as walking, cycling, car pooling and catching public transport to work.

 

One of the key aspects of TravelSmart Noosa Workplace Program is that we only need to change a few of our weekly car trips to sustainable forms of transport.  Did you know that by Travelling Smart to work just one day a week, can reduce your vehicle emissions by up to 20%.

Benefits of being a TravelSmart workplace:

Staff

  • Increased health, happiness and fitness.
  • Reduced stress.
  • Potential cost savings.

Employer

  • Happier, healthier more productive workforce.
  • Reduced traffic congestion around your organisation.
  • Improved access to parking for clients and visitors.
  • Improved corporate image through promotion as an innovative and environmentally aware organisation.
  • Potential cost savings.

Community

  • Reduced traffic congestion in the vicinity.
  • Reduced need for additional car parking.
  • Reduced toxic exhaust fumes and particles.
  • More people walking and cycling creates a sense of community as it provides greater opportunities for social interaction.
  • An organisation which is accessible by a range of transport options does not disadvantage any members of society.

Environment

  • Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, air and noise pollution.

TravelSmart Workplaces in Noosa

Noosa Council

Background
In March 2005, Queensland Transport's TravelSmart team commenced a TravelSmart workplace program with Noosa Council offices. Noosa Council has continued the workplace program under the TravelSmart Noosa banner.

Aims
In 2005-06 the TravelSmart Noosa Council Workplace program aimed to reduce the number of vehicle kilometers traveled by staff to and from Noosa Council offices by 14 per cent. 

Key Objectives

  • To reduce single occupancy motor vehicle trips to and from Noosa Council offices.
  • To encourage the use of public transport, walking, car pooling and using the bike pool to go to meetings, conduct site inspections etc.
  • To provide increased travel choices for Council staff by highlighting the health and environmental benefits, and cost savings of being TravelSmart.

TravelSmart Noosa Workplace Activities

  • Bicycle maintenance workshops
  • National Walk to Work Day
  • Bike Week
  • Bus it Month
  • TravelSmart Inductions for all new employees.
  • Active Travel week breakfasts
  • TravelSmart team challenge 
  • Staff Bike Pool -Noosa Council has two mountain bikes and an a foldable electric bike for use by staff to go to meetings, conduct site inspections etc

 

Active Travel Week Breakfasts

Staff who live far away from work are encouraged to park their car 2-3km away from work and walk/cycle the remaining distance and enjoy a helathy breaky.

  


TravelSmart 4 Week Team Challenge

Staff form teams and receive points for walking cycling, catching public transport and car pooling not only to and from work, but in their daily travels too. The team with the most number of points wins.

  

We estimate that in the July 2007 Challenge, the winning team walked a minimum of 945km, saved $106.78 in fuel costs and 302.39 kg of CO2 emissions, the winning team also cycled a minimum of 2000km, saved $225.99 in fuel costs and 639.97 kg CO2 emissions.

Results

2005-2006

Noosa Council staff are now making fewer trips by motor vehicle. According to Before Travel Survey results, Noosa Council staff were travelling an average of 28.1km to and from work by car each day (as the driver). Respondents to the After Travel Survey, travelled an average of 20.0km to and from work by car (as the driver). These figures indicate a 29% reduction in vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT)

The VKT is calculated as follows:

The 29% reduction in vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) translates into a CO2 abatement of 338.759 tonnes, which has been calculated as follows:

   Before Travel Survey VKT   28.1km
   After Travel Survey VKT   -20.0km
8.1km
   Number of households X 544
   Days per year X 241
   CO2 abatement in kilometres X .000319
    338.759 tonnes

Noosa Hospital

Background
Noosa Hopital is the second largest employer in the Noosa Shire after Noosa Council. Noosa Hospital signed up to become a TravelSmart workplace in June 2007. Hospital staff and the Noosa Council TravelSmart Team are working together to develop a Green Travel Plan for the Hospital. The Green Travel Plan sets out ways in which staff can be informed and encouarged to walk, cycle, catch public transport or car pool to work.

Aims
The TravelSmart Noosa Hospital Workplace program aims to reduce the number of vehicle kilometers traveled by staff to and from the Hospital by 10 per cent.

Key Objectives

  • Reduce vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) to and from Noosa Hospital, particularly single occupancy vehicle trips.
  • Increase staff use of sustainable transport modes- walking, cycling, public transport, carpooling.
  •  Ensure that staff are informed of the opportunities and benefits of using sustainable transport.
  • Promote Noosa Hospital as an innovative and environmentally aware organisation.

TravelSmart Activities

  • TravelSmart Information Stalls
  • Bus Online Journey Planner Sessions
  • Bike Maintenance/Skills Workshops
  • TravelSmart Individual Challenge
  • Walking club
  • Car pool morning tea

Results
Available in June 2008