Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

$3.4 million to tackle air pollution

The Minister for Conservation and Land Management, Marie Tehan, has announced a $3.4-million Environment Protection Authority (EPA) program to tackle air pollution.

It is the first stage of a 10-year program to improve Victoria’s air quality.

Motor vehicle emissions are among several key areas to be examined.

Specific initiatives and allocations made for 1999/2000 include:

• engaging small and medium sized businesses in a cleaner production program - $1.2 million (rising to $2.5 million in subsequent years).
• Victorian Greenhouse Action Statement - programs to improve energy efficiency in industry and reduce emission of pollutants resulting from combustion of fossil fuels.
• initiatives to reduce motor vehicle emissions, the greatest source of air-quality concerns:
• Increased mobile testing of motor vehicle emissions, a new mobile testing laboratory and increased enforcement - $295,000.
• Low-emission driving. The EPA will work with the RACV and driver training schools to develop low-emission driving courses - $100,000.
• Eco-maintenance program. The EPA will work with the VACC and the vehicle service industry to upgrade eco-maintenance awareness - $50,000.
• Environment-friendly fuels. The EPA is working with the oil industry to introduce low-sulfur fuels and less volatile fuels.
• Examining travel behavior. An evaluation of the causes of short trips from cold starts, to develop methods for reducing their incidence - $100,000.
• Testing new vehicles. To ensure compliance with emission standards, car manufacturers will be encouraged to test 1% of all vehicles built.
• Further research into the health effects of pollutants. The EPA will contribute to a global study to facilitate the future review of air quality standards. $50,000 over three years (part of a $368,000 study).
• Extension of Community Access to Air Monitoring (CAAM). Following the success of a pilot program with two air-monitoring stations, CAAM will add three more stations, with training and support of volunteers - $90,000.
• Enhanced air-quality modelling capability. To help plan air quality management strategies, the EPA’s air-quality monitoring and modelling networks will be upgraded in association with CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology - $1.28 million.
• Public information program. Recognising that the community is the key to achieving cleaner air, the EPA will continue public information campaigns to increase awareness and understanding of what individuals can do to improve air quality - $280,000.
• Clean Air Awards. To reward effort and achievement, the EPA Clean Air Awards will provide recognition for valuable contributions from industry, the education sector and the community at large.

The National Environment Protection Council has now established new national air-quality standards that are much more stringent than at present.

Victoria has until 2008 to meet these new standards.

Mrs Tehan said the new program would ensure that Victoria was well placed to meet the clean-air challenges of the next decade.

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Conservation and Land Management, June 3, 1999)