To ask the Minister for Regional Development, given that the Regional Transportation Strategy consultation document acknowledges that greenhouse gas emissions from transport must be reduced, why the document does not contain a specific target to achieve such a reduction; and whether he will consider the inclusion of a specific target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from transport in the finalised strategy.

In developing the New Approach to Regional Transportation, we have outlined the Strategic Objectives which we want to work towards including “Reduce Greenhouse gas emissions from transport”.

The use of the proposed Policy Prioritisation Framework will ensure that potential Strategic Transport Interventions are assessed for their ability to contribute to this Strategic Objective before they are included in the Delivery Plan. As the costed Delivery Plan is developed, specific targets for achievement will be set, including targets for greenhouse gas emissions. These targets will assume full implementation of the Strategic Transportation Interventions in the Delivery Plans and will be both challenging and realistic.