What is OEH and the Government doing to improve air quality?
OEH has an objective to improve air quality, which is most affected in urban areas by motor vehicle use. Using our motor vehicles responsibly plays an important role in protecting air quality and contributes towards OEH's key objectives including:
- reducing emissions to air and minimising their impact on the community
- minimising the adverse impacts of chemicals and hazardous substances on the
environment and public health
- achieving a high level of compliance with statutory requirements
- empowering the wider community to protect the environment.
The continuing increase in motor vehicle use in urban areas is the greatest threat to metropolitan air quality. The Government is addressing this issue by introducing expanded and improved public transport and better urban planning to increase our alternatives to the use of private vehicles. A ten-year plan will result in the construction of eight new rail lines including the first stage of the Parramatta to Chatswood Rail Link, 90kms of rapid bus-only transitways and more than 100km of new cross-regional bus routes to link major suburban areas.
The NSW Government has strengthened anti-pollution laws and provides:
- stringent regulations targeting industry
- polluter-pays provisions
- tough penalties and powers to punish illegal polluters
- the smoky vehicle program.
In 1998, the NSW Government reaffirmed its commitment to improve air quality when it launched Action for Air, a comprehensive and long-term air quality management plan for the Greater Metropolitan Region of Sydney, the Illawarra and the Lower Hunter. Action for Air commits all government agencies to strategies to reduce both photochemical smog and brown haze.
The Commonwealth is moving to set fuel quality standards. The first environmental standards for petrol and diesel to be made under the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 will be implemented from 1 January 2002. The Act will set national fuel standards for Australia which will reduce the level of pollutants and emissions arising from the use of fuel that may cause environmental and health problems; facilitate the adoption of better engine technology and emission control technology; and allow the more effective operation of engines.
The NSW Government is involved in the development of these national standards for cleaner fuels. The standards aim to ensure that refineries are producing the cleanest possible fuels to match improved vehicle standards.
Reducing emissions from wood heaters in winter is critical and for this purpose there are stronger regulations on new heaters, and public education programs on the importance of ensuring correct operation of woodheaters are ongoing.
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Page last updated: 13 September 2011