Sharryn Hilton Liberal Candidate for Wollondilly and Stacey Copas Liberal candidate for Campbelltown today strongly endorsed the release of NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam’s  $40 million package to improve air quality across the state by promoting cleaner vehicles and cleaner fuels.

“Peter Debnam’s plan contains practical measures to reduce the release of toxic greenhouse gases and improve air quality through greater use of alternative fuels," Ms Hilton said
As part of Peter Debnam’s plan to get NSW back in front, a NSW Liberal/Nationals Government will encourage the use of environmentally friendly cars by:

• Cutting the cost of registration for all LPG and hybrid electric vehicles by $50;
• Allowing LPG and hybrid electric cars to travel in transit lanes.
  

"This will cut the price of registration for the average small LPG and hybrid electric car by almost 25% and for businesses by 15%," Ms Copas said.

"It will also reduce the travel times for drivers using environmentally-friendly cars on major roads, including Spit and Military Roads, Epping and Victoria Roads, Windsor Road, the Pacific Highway, the Great Western Highway and the Anzac Parade.”

"Motorists who drive vehicles powered by LPG or a hybrid electric engine should be rewarded for helping the environment and reducing climate change," she said.

The NSW Liberal/Nationals will also implement a $6 million Ethanol Action Plan, including:

• $5m for grants to assist existing service stations convert infrastructure to allow the sale ethanol-blended fuel;
• $1m for a marketing plan in co-operation with the NRMA and environmental groups to raise public awareness of and confidence in ethanol-blended fuel;
• Mandatory use of E10 fuel in all possible state government vehicles; and,
• Mandating, if necessary, ethanol usage in NSW to 10% by 2011.
  

Labor has failed on air quality and alternative fuels. In 2004, Labor scrapped a plan to buy more gas-powered buses and purchased diesel only buses in its next order. Leadership is required from state government to encourage the take-up of environmentally-friendly vehicle technology.

"We need practical and workable solutions to climate change – and that's what the NSW Liberal/Nationals are providing for the people of NSW.