PATREC Research

iMOVE

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Accounting for carbon in the planning for residential neighbourhoods

There is a need to understand how structure planning processes for new residential neighbourhoods can best contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This should consider how accounting for emissions can be accomplished at the planning stage and followed through to the implementation and delivery stages. Western Australia’s State Planning Policy (SPP 7.2) includes a requirement for precinct structure planning to consider greenhouse gas emissions reduction and incorporation of renewable energy sources, and the preparation of an Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Statement. This research will support meeting this requirement, providing an evidence base and tools to support better decision making and assessment in planning and design of new neighbourhoods.

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Mapping the circular economy of WA – monitoring the contributions of circularity towards achieving Net Zero: Stage 1

Over 75% of natural resources are consumed in cities, which produce over 70% of global waste. With approximately half of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with material use, there is a need to transform linear value chains and preserve material value to achieve Net Zero at the city scale. Circular economy strategies are becoming increasingly more popular in mitigating waste production and helping to maintain materials and resources in use, effectively reducing the need to extract virgin materials in production processes. Closing material loops at a product or industry level alone does not ensure environmental sustainability. A systems-wide approach that goes beyond waste management strategies is required, supported by a key performance indicator framework within a digital circular monitor for effectively monitoring and driving circular outcomes. Towards that end, this Stage 1 project aims to measure the materials footprint linked to final consumption in Greater Perth, Western Australia (WA), quantifying resource inflows and waste outflows and related energy use and GHG emissions. Building on the materials footprint, localised stock and flow accounts of actual material and energy use will be prepared, providing a high-level overview and understanding of the socioeconomic metabolism of Greater Perth, and the wider WA economy.

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AURIN WA Node to support CA in transport and land use planning research

A new PATREC program of research commenced in 2023 with three foundation projects, responding to WA government-identified need: Feasibility of battery-electric buses for regional school bus services; Mapping the Circular Economy of WA: Monitoring the contributions of circularity towards achieving Net Zero; and Accounting for carbon in the planning for new residential suburbs. Funding for second stages of these projects, as well as for new projects, has been agreed by PATREC and iMOVE CRC to be undertaken in 2025 and 2026.

Data and tools are a significant part of each project, providing the ideal opportunity to establish an enabling research infrastructure to support the new program of research: CATLUP – Climate action in transport and land use planning, comprising data and tools, as the basis for a longer-term indicator-based monitoring system to measure, monitor and drive enhanced resource efficiency and environmental performance towards net zero emissions of WA cities.
AURIN-WA will produce tools for transport and land use planning research, with a climate action focus. In turn these tools will deliver impact case studies across industry and government, and secondary users.

The National Cycling Data and Analysis Platform (NCDAP)

A National Cycling Data and Analytics Platform to collect, integrate and communicate new and historic data on cycling infrastructure, attitudes, and behaviours. This project will address the significant issue of data fragmentation, pilot a national cycling survey, and develop a cycling toolkit to allow exploring and testing various cycling infrastructure scenarios. The platform will provide an open access e-Infrastructure to enable tracking social and cultural changes that influence transport choices, create effective behaviour change programs and prioritise cycling infrastructure investment. This project will contribute to healthier lifestyles, reduced traffic congestion and emissions and energy efficiency of Australia’s transport sector.

Sustainable last kilometre food and beverage delivery in Perth

Current planning frameworks and guidelines for Perth/Peel focus on freight movement between ports, primary industries and industrial areas, inadequately addressing last kilometre freight. The nature of last kilometre freight and the character of Perth/Peel is changing planning design guidance for last kilometre freight.

This project undertakes a robust and systematic approach to define the last kilometre freight challenges and opportunities in Perth/Peel, specifically focusing on the food and beverage (F&B) sector.

Last kilometre freight opportunities can offer more sustainable forms of freight than what is currently available. The challenges need to be well-defined to identify the most appropriate opportunity. It is also crucial to consider practical issues (e.g. parking issues), potential demand (e.g. locations and safety) and other wider street and land use issues (e.g. implications to land use, street environment and other street users).

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