Page 1031 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 17 March 2010

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(2) calls on the Government to:

(a) investigate methods of reducing wood smoke in the Tuggeranong Valley, including through the expansion of:

(i) education campaigns, such as Don't Burn Tonight;

(ii) the wood heater replacement program;

(iii) regulations concerning wood heater instalment; and

(iv) enforcement of regulations;

(b) when conducting these investigations, consult with relevant stakeholders including:

(i) ACT Health;

(ii) Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water;

(iii) ACT Planning and Land Authority;

(iv) the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment;

(v) ACTEWAGL; and

(vi) industry and community groups;

(d) report back to the Assembly by the last sitting day in September 2010.

This is the perfect time for the Assembly to discuss my motion because, despite being autumn, Canberrans are still making decisions about the heating and cooling systems in their homes.

The Greens acknowledge that build-up of wood smoke in Canberra, particularly the Tuggeranong Valley, is a health problem. While I appreciate that the ACT government has taken positive steps to counter this problem, I am concerned that the air quality in winter still presents health problems for people and that it is at times not within acceptable levels. Today I hope to look at some possible solutions. In gaining the support of this chamber, we can lift the bar in tackling wood smoke pollution in Canberra.

Madam Assistant Speaker, many in this place would agree that a burning fire amongst friends and family on a cold winter’s night is something quite special. While this may be true for many, the reality is that pollution created by the burning, and in many

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