2021-11-11
A new Bushfire Smoke and Air Quality Strategy released today will set up a whole of government approach to managing smoke from significant bushfire events and household woodfires.
Minister for the Environment Rebecca Vassarotti said the strategy provides the ACT with a way forward to manage impacts of poor air quality on our health.
“Air quality in the ACT is generally excellent compared with other Australian cities and considered clean by world standards,” Minister Vassarotti said. “There are however higher levels of smoke pollution in the winter months, largely due to the use of household woodfires. We also saw last year the impact bushfire smoke had on our region, and this will remain a threat to our air quality as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of these events.
“The strategy we have released today aims to support our community by reducing the adverse impacts of bushfire and woodfire smoke on the environment, human health and our local economy.
“The ACT Government will work on key actions over the next four years, ranging from measures to strengthen wood heater emission standards, enhance air quality monitoring and forecasting, develop buildings that are resilient to air pollution, identify and support smoke refuges, and provide the most effective economic support to those affected by severe bushfire smoke.
“The strategy will guide the ACT Government’s approach to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from significant bushfire smoke events and our management of the smoke from wood heaters. This is a journey to clean all for all.”
Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith, said the strategy aims to support healthy communities by reducing the adverse effects of bushfire and woodfire smoke on human health.
“The severe smoke event from the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires showed the complex relationship between the health, environment, social and economic impacts of poor air quality,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“Vulnerable populations are particularly affected by smoke pollution, such as the elderly, infants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, pregnant women and individuals with underlying cardiovascular and respiratory disorders.
“Research also shows the mental health impacts caused by natural disasters on the community such as increased rates of stress, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and exacerbation of other underlying mental health problems. These effects can also endure over an extended period and take time for symptoms to present.
“There was a significant effect on the ACT economy from the bushfires, with businesses involved in outdoor dining, wine making and other outdoor activities having to close for periods of time.
“The strategy sets out how the ACT Government will protect and support the ACT community, particularly those most vulnerable, and improve our preparation and resilience.”
You can view the ACT Government’s Bushfire Smoke and Air Quality Strategy here.