Page 1036 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 17 March 2010
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future options. I do hope for the support of the chamber today and look forward to working with the ACT government further on this issue.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Minister for Energy and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (4:50): I spoke to the progress the government is making on improving air quality in the Tuggeranong Valley in June last year, acknowledging that the issue of air quality in the Tuggeranong Valley was not a new one. I appreciate the opportunity that this motion presents to update the Assembly on this issue.
The variables that contribute to the air quality in the Tuggeranong Valley are well known, and this and previous governments and the community have been working together for over a decade to minimise adverse impacts. Canberra’s overall air quality, compared to other cities, is excellent and we enjoy a smog-free environment with beautiful clear days for most of the year. However, during the winter on cold nights when the air is still, Canberra, and most particularly the Tuggeranong Valley, can experience a particle pollution problem due principally to emissions from domestic wood heaters.
While there is some evidence that indicates that, despite population increases, air quality in the valley has improved over the last few years, the government acknowledges that the problem persists and is committed to addressing the issue in an informed and measured way to ensure a satisfactory outcome for all Canberrans.
In Canberra we do live in a city with clean air but we do experience an increase in particulate matter during winter, primarily from wood heaters. Of concern for residents of Canberra and particularly the Tuggeranong Valley is that wood smoke emits fine particles at a level of PM2.5 which are known to produce respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.
In 2004, there were 15 days when the particulate level was above the standard; in 2005 there were 14, in 2006 there were 20, in 2007 there were eight, and the current data for 2008 show there were six occasions. So, whilst there is an issue, and yes, the government continues to take steps to address it, the number of days on which we are affected is relatively few and, as this data suggests, has fallen in recent years.
The ACT is not lagging behind other jurisdictions but is an active participant at all levels in addressing wood heater emissions and is considered a progressive leader in the management of wood smoke. One of the reasons why we have been able to minimise the number of days when particulate levels are a problem is as a result of the successful wood heater replacement program. Since it was introduced in 2004, it has led to the removal of over 800 wood heaters from homes in Canberra. Recently, I announced the start of the 2010 wood heater replacement program, which commenced on 1 March.
This year’s program is even more financially attractive and easier for people to take advantage of, with the program running until December, and an increase from $600 to $800 for replacement with ducted gas, whilst the subsidy remains at $600 for new flued gas installations. The program is part of a broader suite of actions to target a reduction in wood heater emissions.
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