David Wake (left) lives in Quinns Rocks. Once a small town surrounded by bushland, it is now part of growing suburbia. David started a local environmental group when he was 14 and still lobbies to protect bushland and stop unsustainable development. He works with the Conservation Council of WA, promoting sustainable transport for cleaner air and liveable communities.

“I think we can live more lightly on the planet. Communities can make a difference, that's why I work in my local area and through my job to change things for the common good.
Perth is lucky to have biodiverse bushland, clean coastal waters and breathable air, but the quality of our environment and liveability of our city is threatened. Growing car use, sprawling urban growth and increasing resource use shows that we're on an unsustainable path.”

The Dracup family (right) of Subiaco – Miles, Geraldine, James and Rebecca – substitute car use for more sustainable means of transport such as cycling and walking. Miles is a strong proponent of using bikes for transport in the city.

“Each day I ride to work, a comfortable 30 minute ride. It is only five to ten minutes slower than using the car and it means I exercise. It also saves on transport costs and I am doing my bit to reduce pollution, congestion and noise.
Like most families, our life is busy and often requires a car for transporting children to activities. We try to use bikes or walk, car pooling when necessary. As a family we assess whether the car is really needed for a journey before getting into it.”

FACTFILE
• The State’s population is expected to rise from 1.8 million to 3 million by 2029, with Perth’s population increasing to 2 million. Perth’s suburbs stretch 90kms along the coast and 40kms inland.
• As well as greater air pollution, urban expansion has caused the destruction of bushland and increased land and water pollution.
• Perth has 20% more car use per person than Sydney. Cars are the largest contributors to Perth’s air pollution.
• Innovations in public transport, such as the rail revival, and planning, such as Liveable Neighbourhoods, have won international praise.