Cairns Action for Sustainable Transport

Cairns Festival Parade Environment Float THIS WEEKEND

2011-08-19T11:09:00.000+10:00

Cairns Festival Parade Environment Float

Sunday Aug 21, assemble from 3.30pm, Munro Martin Park

A (model) light rail is one of the great new props for this year's float (a prizewinner last year). Our environmental future: Coral Sea, renewable energy and public transport.

Ph Jonathan on 4053 2340 for more info.

Cairns Festival Parade 2011

2011-06-30T10:48:00.001+10:00

Dear CAST Friends and Supporters

Like to promote sustainability and become involved in this year’s Festival Cairns Parade on Sunday 21st August? The theme this year is:

The Far North time machine - Past and Future
50 years under a tropical sun

The count down is on until the parade, so if you have time, skills or ideas please sign up!

We are looking for:
Ideas
Prop Makers
An MC
Choreographers
Costume designers/makers
Musicians or someone who can put a good musical soundtrack together that will work with our theme
People with vision, time or enthusiasm
Participants to join us on the day
We have 3 wind turbines we used last year which we can use

For more info contact Nicole n.hunter@acfonline.org.au

Join us at the Cairns Festival Parade Aug 21 2010

2010-08-16T20:45:00.001+10:00

Environment groups in Cairns are coming together for a joint float in this year’s Cairns Festival Parade with the theme – “A Climate for Change - an alternative vision for FNQ”.

This will be a walking and cycling float.
Hope to see you there.
Gather at Munro Martin Park by 5pm.
Parade walks along the Esplanade to Fogarty Park.
The Theme is GREEN.
Remember this is a festival so be bright, fun, decorate your selves, your bikes and your friends and children!!

INFORMATION ABOUT PARADE DAY
The 2010 Parade route will be the same as last year’s. All float entries must be at the marshalling area in Munro Martin Park from 4pm onwards. (Florence, Grafton, Minnie and Sheridan Streets – see map).

Saturday, August 21st
• 5.00pm: All floats/entries assembled in Grafton Street (To find us – look for the tall windmills and globe lanterns).
• 6.00pm: Festival Parade Commences.
• 7.40pm: Festival Parade Finishes.
• 7.50pm: Fireworks Begin.
• 8.00pm: Free concert begins.

Upcoming CAST events 2010

2010-06-20T11:50:00.002+10:00

CAST members are involved in a range of activities - including the new Cairns Climate Action Network (Cairns CAN). Together with others we are involved in a joint environment/sustainability float in this year’s Cairns Festival Parade (Aug 21). Anyone interested in being involved in organising the float or participating on the day, please let us know?

We are also involved in the new monthly politics in the pub at the Green Ant Cantina.
Politics in the Pub forum – “Cyclists – Are we safe? “ - August 12th, 6-8pm, Green Ant Cantina. See you there!

CAST Meetings 2010

2010-01-16T15:25:00.003+10:00

CAST meets on the second Tuesday of the month. Contact Jonathan about meeting details Ph 0432384505

Letters to the Editor of Cairns Post

2010-01-16T15:22:00.003+10:00

Two letters to the editor of Cairns Post about sustainable transport vs the 10 lane highway solution for Cairns.

Letter 1

Southern Access Madness
Why spend billions on a ten-lane southern highway when that is going to take decades to solve the problem, when petrol is going to get prohibitively expensive, when there won't be enough parking spaces, when the city streets themselves are going to be gridlocked and when nothing is done about the already daily gridlock on the northern access road?

This is fossil bureaucrats wasting our taxpayer’s money on dinosaur solutions.
Investing instead in existing but underused rail infrastructure, supported by electric suburban shuttle buses, will give us an efficient, quiet, pleasant and reliable public transport system. People can go for a drink easily, non-drivers and children can travel independently. We can have a tourist friendly city with no pollution, noise or fossil fuel dependency, which we can showcase as a climate-smart model for sustainability.

Wake up local politicians, people love rail and people vote.

Svargo Freitag, Cairns Action for Sustainable Transport

Letter 2

More lanes on the Bruce Highway and Mulgrave Road will only produce bigger traffic jams and more frustration and road-rage. This 1950s solution to traffic problems is what you’d expect from a road building agency. Cairns needs an integrated transport strategy that doesn¹t bury more land under bitumen or concrete, reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, lowers carbon emissions and promotes a happier, healthier lifestyle for both commuters and those living in the inner suburbs.

We need a public transport system that is a real alternative to car ownership. We need park-and-ride facilities served by light rail or shuttle buses. And what happens at 5-ways? A black-hole to swallow up all the traffic? Large sporting venues (racecourse, showgrounds, Barlow Park, etc) are empty most of the year and could be used as park-and-ride facilities, and there¹s always the old drive-in right at the end of Ray Jones Drive. We need a network of long distance off-road bicycle paths, or traffic-calmed streets with bicycle priority, to make it safer for those already cycling and those considering cycling as a transport option.

We need to be investing now in the options that reduce our dependence on individual car ownership. The Italian government is giving grants to people buying bicycles. More cities around the world are excluding cars from larger areas. Significant amounts of money would be freed up by spending less on cars plus the reduced costs to our health system from a healthier community that cycles and walks more. Car commuting is part of the problem not the solution.

Brynn Mathews, Parramatta Park, Cairns

Sustainable Transport or concrete jungle?

2009-11-06T06:19:00.002+10:00

On Nov 5 the Cairns Post revealed the 10 lane highway "solution" for Cairns.
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2009/11/05/73925_local-news.html

This is what the CAST 100 strong public meeting in March this year were universally opposed to!!

The Cairns Post has labelled it "future shock". It does look like shock and awe on the natural environment. It also represents the coal and oil dinosaurs trying to continue in the old ways.

They also say that the "work will take decades" - the perfect non-solution to a climate crisis.

Have your say! Online at the Cairns Post:
http://tools.cairns.com.au/yoursay/comment_all.php?article_id=73925
Or attend one of the local consultation meetings.

Join us at the Festival Cairns Parade on August 22nd

2009-07-18T09:30:00.003+10:00

Public Transport is a Climate Solution
Do the Locomotion

For decades Cairns and hinterland residents have been calling for improvements in public transport and trying to improve active transport, such as cycling, around our city. The existing rail infrastructure is not being used. SunBus services are not sufficient. We deserve better!

On August 22nd we are taking part in the Cairns Festival parade to highlight our issues and we hope that you will join us. The theme of our contingent is “Public Transport is a Climate Solution”.

We aim to highlight the Cairns community support for sustainable transport (active transport – bikes and walking and public transport – rail and bus powered by renewable energy) to tackle the large contribution that transport makes (more than 30%) to greenhouse gas emissions in FNQ. We also don’t want to see Rail Freight services and depots sold off in the current QLD government fire sale of state assets.

So contact Cairns Action for Sustainable Transport (CAST) and join us at the parade. Phone Jonathan CAST 0418773287 or Sarah at CAFNEC 403 21746 or reply to this email. Of just turn up and bring your friends and family.

Assembly
Walking contingents like ours join the parade queue at Minnie Street at 5.30pm SHARP. Bring your bikes (decorate them with white, purple and/or orange streamers). Wear a white shirt or t-shirt and denim jeans, shorts or skirt.

Parade Route
The parade will start from the Corner of Minnie St and the Esplanade (Across from the Tennis Courts). The parade will travel 1km along the esplanade (shorter route than last year). Finish at Fogarty Park.

World Environment Day June 2009

2009-05-29T21:18:00.001+10:00

World Environment Day Action

Join the people’s movement for a safe climate FRIDAY JUNE 12, 7.30am

Real targets now. Protect our reef. Green Jobs. Renewable energy. Light rail for Cairns. Not Rudd’s carbon scheme sham. Wear Red for a climate emergency.

ON BIKES— Meet 7.30am on bikes outside WOW, cnr Mulgrave Rd
& McCoombe St, and ride to Federal MP Jim Turnour’s office.
ON FOOT— Meet from 7.30am at Jim Turnour’s office, cnr Shields & Grafton Sts, to help us build Cairns’ first light rail station.

8-8.30am RALLY outside Turnour’s office

Next CAST Meeting July 14

2009-04-28T20:25:00.003+10:00

Our next CAST meeting is Tuesday July 14 Venue TBA

Rail for Cairns Public Meeting

2009-01-19T19:56:00.006+10:00

CAST organised a succesful Public Meeting about using and expanding our existing rail infrastructure for better public transport on Wednesday, 18th March, at Rydges Tradewinds. Around 100 people attended the event which was moderated by Kier Shorey and included Q&A with state election candidates.

OUR NEXT CAST MEETING IS:
Tuesday April 14, 7pm at the function room of the Cape York Hotel, cnr Bunda and Spence Sts. For more info, phone: 0418 773 287

Rail for Cairns? Have your say...

2008-11-09T09:48:00.005+10:00

• considering the 50 year plus life cycle of rail infrastructure and it's lower maintenance costs, rail is equal or cheaper than bus transit systems
• rail is much better at accommodating bikes and mobility aids
• rail is unaffected by road congestion and more reliable
• rail has better popular appeal which will help public transport uptake
• Cairns already has a lot of usable rail infrastructure and corridors
• rail is much better then bus transit systems in reducing GHG emissions and has the potential for zero GHG emission transport
• rail for commuting will improve rail infrastructure which can also be used for freight transport
• committing to rail is also a commitment to a high public transport uptake
• especially on the southern corridor rail duplication is a feasible and better alternative to freeway expansion
POST US YOUR COMMENTS......

2008-11-09T09:42:00.002+10:00

The CAST sustainable transport petition was presented to the Member for Cairns Desley Boyle on Thursday November 6.
Nine hundred and fifteen people signed the CAST petition for the following demands:
• Adopt as a guiding principle the fundamental link between renewable energy and sustainable transport.
• Set a minimum 40% reduction target for the region's greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 in the statutory regulations.
• Adopt a proactive approach to public transport and rail freight, rather than the reactive approach advocated in the FNQ 2025 draft.
• Adopt a substantially higher target for public transport use within Cairns – not the proposed minimum target of 10% by 2036, but at least 40% by 2025.
• Immediately commit to a rail-based “spine” for a renewable energy based public transport system for Cairns (incorporating the existing Gordonvale-CBD-Redlynch rail as the first stage).

NEW DATES AND VENUE FOR CAST MEETINGS

2008-08-28T20:36:00.001+10:00

CAST meetings have moved to the 2nd Tuesday of the month and to a new venue in the City - Tramways at the Cape York Hotel, Spence Street. Meetings run from 7pm to 9pm. Hope to see you there!

CAST submission to the FNQ 2025 Strategic Plan

2008-07-31T19:46:00.004+10:00

Executive Summary -
The community organisation Cairns Action for Sustainable Transport (CAST) presents this submission to the FNQ 2025 Strategic Plan because we recognise that the current draft plan has the following serious flaws.
 Climate Change and Peak Oil: The draft fails to adequately recognise and address the severity of the identified threats stemming from Climate Change and Peak Oil.
 Renewable Energy: The draft fails to effectively commit to renewable energy as a fundamental part of any transport response to climate change and peak oil.
 Policy Disconnect: The draft fails to effectively translate the State Government aim of “sustainable transport” into policies capable of delivering on that commendable aim.
 Public Transport: The draft fails, by adoption of an inappropriate reactive model, to proactively embrace public transport for Cairns and region.

A link to the PDF is available on this blog site.

CAST Activities - Get Involved!

2008-07-13T10:21:00.006+10:00

Come and say hi to CAST at Envirofiesta at Cominos House, Greenslopes St on Saturday August 2nd from 10am to 5pm. We invite you to sign our submission on sustainable transport for the FNQ 2025 Regional Plan and to find out about the launch of "Need A Ride" in Cairns (see the weblinks on our site).

World Environment Day June 5

2008-05-07T21:23:00.007+10:00

CAST along with other environmental organisations in Cairns including Cairns Bicycle Users Group (CBUG), Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC) and Austn Conservation Foundation (ACF) organised a bike ride and rally for World Environment Day 2008. The theme was Kick The Car Habit and we put forward demands for better public transport and bikeways.
On Thursday June 5, Cyclists met at 7.15am at Westcourt on Mulgrave Rd and rode to CITY PLACE for Rally, speakers and refreshments from 8am to 8.30am.

Upcoming CAST meetings

2008-05-07T21:17:00.005+10:00

Cairns Action for Sustainable Transport (CAST) is a community group which formed this year. Our aim is to encourage community discussion and participation in establishing environmentally sustainable, effective and socially just transport systems for Cairns and its region.
Everyone is encourage to get involved in CAST.
CAST meets every second Tuesday of the month.
7pm at Tramways at the Cape York Hotel, Spence Street, City. Cheap meals are available. For more info phone Jonathan 0431 683 088.

US fuel prices push public transport numbers to 50-year high

2008-03-16T12:18:00.001+10:00

US fuel prices push public transport numbers to 50-year high

Record fuel prices in the US have spurred the highest level of public transport use in the country in half a century.

A report by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has found that US commuters took more than 10 billion trips on trains and buses in the last year.
Light rail systems had the highest percentage of increased passenger use, up 6.1 per cent in 2007.

"Public transportation use is up 32 per cent since 1995, a figure that is more than double the growth rate of the population (15 per cent) and over the growth rate for the vehicle miles travelled on our nation's highways (24 per cent) for that same period," the report said.
The Association has called for more federal funding so that Americans can access affordable
transport options.

"Now with gas prices predicted to rise to $US4 ($4.30) a gallon, there is a greater urgency for higher federal funding to expand US public transportation systems so Americans have an affordable transportation choice," APTA president William W Millar said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/11/2186619.htm?section=justin

Next CAST organising meeting

2008-03-16T12:15:00.004+10:00

After a very successful first public peeting with over 50 people attending, CAST will be holding its next organising meeting to discuss the future possiblities for the group.

When? 1st April at 7pm
Where? Venue TBC

For more info call Jonathan 0431 683 088

Public Meeting - 11 March, 7pm

2008-03-10T16:39:00.000+10:00

Better Public transport and Bikeways

Public Meeting

Imagine:

* no more gridlock

* free and frequent public transport

* a network of safe bikeways

* light rail

*sustainable town planning

Have your say!

Talk with council candidates about better

and cleaner transport for Cairns.

TUES 11 MARCH - 6:45 for &pm start

Serbian club, 73-79 Greenslopes Street, Edge Hill

Organised by CAST - Cairns Action for Sustainable Transport

ph : 0431 683 088