Page 2680 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Retailers and builders will be assisted by the government maintaining a list of compliant models on the legislation register, which will be easy to check.
The legislation also proposes a one-year phase-in time in recognition of adjustments that will need to be made by industry and retailers.
As I have said, this is an exposure draft and a series of proposals. I look forward to discussing the details with stakeholders.
These changes will have an important impact on health and pollution. They are in line with the proposals of wood heater experts. Wood heater expert Professor John Todd writes:
We must develop a new generation of woodheaters that burn cleanly when used in people’s homes. The next generation must be 1 g kg-1 or less in order to achieve acceptable air quality in areas with a high proportion of wood-users …
I will briefly outline some of the other measures that the discussion paper recommends taking, regardless of whether the draft legislation or other proposed options are implemented.
These include introducing mobile air quality monitoring to inform and improve responses to pollution problems; improving local enforcement options to ensure people use wood heaters correctly; improving the way air quality data and the health effects of wood smoke are communicated to Canberrans; and expanding the wood heater replacement program to include low emissions electric heating, and an increased subsidy. I note with these proposals that these are things which have been done in other jurisdictions also.
This consultation paper also suggests several additional measures for community discussion. These include a variety of options. They are not included in the legislation but could potentially form part of it. These additional proposals include ensuring all new wood heaters are sold with information about the health impacts of wood smoke; phasing out noncompliant wood heaters by setting a date by which all wood heaters in the ACT must meet a standard; phasing out noncompliant wood heaters by requiring their removal upon the sale of the premises; allowing the installation of new wood heaters only when they are replacing existing wood heaters, until such time as a new health-based standard has been developed for real-life emissions; and using market mechanisms to reduce wood heater emissions, such as licensing of wood heaters.
The exposure draft and discussion paper are the first step towards making important improvements to air quality in Canberra. I will be having discussions with stakeholders such as industry, community and health groups. I look forward to progressing this legislation and the accompanying recommendations over the coming months.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video