Oil vulnerability in Melbourne

Peak Oil and Climate Change present serious challenges to governments and planners. The sprawling auto based city, which is the model upon which Australian cities have grown is particularly unsuited to a situation of decreasing oil availability and a need to reduce carbon emissions. The aim of this study is to investigate and expose possible variations in the spatial distribution of oil vulnerability in Melbourne. This study assesses vehicle ownership and usage characteristics by local government area (LGA), using data collected by the Victorian Department of Transport's Victorian Integrated Survey of Travel and Activity (VISTA) analysis. An Oil Vulnerability Index has been created and its application suggests that the fast growing outer suburbs of Melbourne are particularly vulnerable to oil price rises. Outer Suburban LGAs were found to have lower average incomes and travel by car more frequently and for longer distances. Future petrol price increases are likely to place stress on household expenditure, mobility and even the long-term viability of some suburbs