The wheels of progress turning at Noosa Council
Noosa Council is testing what could turn out to be the start of a quiet, electric revolution on our local roads.
As part of the council car pool, they're getting behind the wheel of a Nissan LEAF which uses only electricity, and is recharged from the solar system on top of the council's Tewantin chamber.
The all-electric car took about 20 years to develop and is on a six-week council trial. While it's limited to between 130 and 150-kilometres without a recharge, that fits the size of Noosa Shire just fine.
While electricity could be powering more of the council fleet in the future, the possibilities for cleaner, innovative transport in Noosa could go much further than that.
Mayor Noel Playford has long been interested in the idea of smart, Noosa buses, designed to be open and accessible for our climate and lifestyle and - hopefully - electric as well.
The mayor says specially-designed Noosa buses could be a big drawcard for locals and tourists, encouraging more people to leave their cars at home and showing what can be achieved with a blend of innovation and environmental awareness.
"There are some good ideas around for improving buses " Mr Playford says "and Noosa could be just the right place to demonstrate them."
"What better way to advertise a smart, clean, innovative shire, than public buses that drive the point home every day."
While smart Noosa buses might be just around the corner, the current trial of the Nissan LEAF electric car is already turning heads.
Staff have been impressed by the car's performance and by its statistics; not only is it running completely free of emissions and charged with 100-percent green power, the car itself is mostly recyclable. Even the seats are made from recycled plastic soft drink bottles.
The mayor says there's no doubt that private enterprise is the engine room for these sorts of developments, but there's a role for Noosa Council to show that we're very open to innovation.
25 February 2014