AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Cycling for green: Immigration to a cleaner, healthier Australia

Monday, 14 January 2008

Looking at the latest statistics on bicycle sales, it's not hard to see why immigration to Australia can be like a breath of fresh air for many – literally.

Experiencing a boom in pedal power, with bicycles outselling motor vehicles in 2007 for the eighth consecutive year, Australia has once again accentuated its desire to be a cleaner, greener and healthier nation.

According to motor vehicle sales monitoring agency VFACTS and Customs, more than 1.4 million bikes were bought in 2007 in Australia, compared with about one million new motor vehicle sales.

Lobby group Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF) says the figures show that Australians have a greater awareness of climate change and their health, and that Australians are looking for practical ways to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

This bicycle mania has also been good for the younger members of the Australian community, as for every four bikes sold to children or youths in Australia, there are seven bikes sold to adults. This means your children will greatly benefit from your immigration decision, as chances are they'll get to make use of the country's cycle-friendly environment from an early age, thus reducing risks of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

Giving up cars for bicycles is a step towards preserving the world's sixth largest country's 7.6 million square kilometres of land, of which 91% is covered by vegetation. With sixteen Australian landmarks boasting on the World Heritage List, which includes the likes of The Great Barrier Reef, the Tasmanian Wilderness, the Wet Tropics of Queensland and Shark Bay, it's not hard to see why Australian locals and immigrants take their land so seriously.

Almost everybody is involved in some form of travel every day, and whether you're an immigrant or a local, the way you move from one place to another gives you an opportunity to contribute to the quest of reducing Australia's greenhouse emissions.

With the aim of meeting their internationally agreed target of limiting greenhouse gas emissions to 108% of 1990 levels over the period 2008 – 2012, The Australian Government is also playing its part in the quest for becoming more responsible with the environment.

In light of this, on 3 December last year, The Department of Climate Change was established as part of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Portfolio. The following ministerial appointments have been sworn in on that day: Senator Hon Penny Wong for Climate Change and Water and Senator Hon Peter Garrett as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts.

Special Australian websites have been launched with the aim of reducing everyone's reliance on cars and making smart choices about other forms of transport. These sites not only introduce immigrants to Australia's transport systems, but also, help people plan their daily/weekly trips to work, school, shops, entertainment or sports, and involve showing cycling, tram, train and walking routes.

Immigration to Australia could be your first step in becoming involved with a community whose aim is to improve the quality of life for themselves and others. If you would like to know of you qualify for immigration, just complete the free visa eligibility assessment form, which will deliver results within minutes.

Become part of a healthy and exciting cycle towards a life that promises quality and longevity amongst beautiful surroundings!