Dark clouds on the urban horizon: petroleum and Australian planning

Abstract

This paper reviews and examines the recent evidence on petroleum depletion and liquid energy supply security as a background to the special issue on oil vulnerability. The paper charts a change in the tone of debate about an oil supply shock from possibility to probability as signalled by the growing concerns of global risk assessors. The paper notes shifting global political relations between supplier and consumer nations. The discussion concludes by positioning Australia's national energy consumption and energy policies within this rapidly changing global frame.