Page 1035 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 17 March 2010
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Examples such as Launceston show that the creation of an air quality vision for the community and considerable interaction among various community levels and key stakeholders have been successful and provide a promising practice for the ACT. In my motion I am calling for a similar consultation process with stakeholders such as ACT Health, ACT Planning and Land Authority, and industry and community groups. Obviously, as I have noted, this is just including these groups; so it can actually be much broader and should be much broader than just these groups. It is important that any strategy in the ACT is also tailored.
If we are to make any significant move forward, it will require the ACT government to seek federal government assistance. I will acknowledge that the wood heater buyback scheme in Launceston does have federal backing which has allowed them to expand it to include other heating alternatives. As I have already illustrated, the successful federally funded wood heater buyback program in Launceston, Tasmania has significantly reduced wood smoke pollution because they have the funding to administer a council to properly consult with community groups and relevant stakeholders.
Public advice on air quality needs to go further than a few lines listed on a website and a “don’t burn tonight” campaign. This needs to be much more actively promoted. Possible solutions could include further advice provided to assist purchasers wanting to find out which wood burner models have been tested, found to meet the performance requirements and are environmentally more efficient; extending the time frame of the buyback scheme so it could be an all-year-round program, which has the potential of encouraging more people to replace their wood heater; expanding the wood heater replacement program to include other heating options such as energy-efficient fixed electric heaters, night storage heaters, pellet heaters and heat pumps; and making PM10 and PM2.5 levels publicly available as they are measured on a daily or weekly basis, which is done by the Armidale City Council.
I am supportive of the government’s amendment that has been circulated on this issue, as I do believe it actually adds to the motion and would provide more timely information available to the public.
In conclusion, what I have attempted to highlight today is the detrimental impact that wood smoke has on people’s health and to investigate methods of reducing wood smoke in the Tuggeranong Valley. The reality for our city is that we do experience high rates of particle pollution which creates problems for people, particularly those in the Tuggeranong Valley. I know that the appropriate response to the wood smoke problem is not clear as there are several factors to consider. What is a reality, however, is that by providing information to people they can make more considered choices about their heating, health and environment.
As the cold settles in this year, many people in the valley will be lighting their wood heaters to keep themselves warm. In order to rid Tuggeranong of winter domestic wood smoke pollution and to protect the health of valley residents, it is important that the ACT government take action on this issue. The reality of the situation is that people’s health is impacted by this and this should be the critical factor in considering
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