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Objective
Recommendation
Key issues
What has been achieved 1998-2003
Tasmania Together
Further and related recommendations
Related Issue Reports
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Objective To reduce the level of air pollution caused by emissions from motorised vehicles as part of a comprehensive overall strategic plan for improving air quality. Recommendation As part of a comprehensive overall strategic plan for improving air quality (Total Exposure to Air Pollution), it is recommended that: - the capacity of different modes of public and private transport to service new subdivisions (and the capacity of the existing road network) is considered in land use planning and the approval of new subdivisions;
- consider incentives to encourage public transport;
- road-worthiness requirements for vehicle emissions are identified and enforced;
- the application of clean fuel (such as compressed natural gas) and fuel-efficient vehicles (such as hybrid cars) are promoted through registration pricing structures and government car fleet purchases;
- Hydro Tasmania is encouraged to pursue emerging opportunities in hydrogen-powered vehicles and fuel cell technology as part of an integrated renewable and efficient energy strategy for Tasmania; and
- the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources maintains its commitment to promoting cycling through initiatives under the State Bicycle Advisory Committee.
Key issues Some of the key points from the Atmosphere Chapter relating to pollution from transport (with links to the 'At a glance' sections) include the following. - Transport Emissions: Tasmania does not have sufficiently large urban centres for emissions to air from transport to be a leading environmental concern, although transport is a consideration in the total exposure of the population to air pollution. Several air pollutants are associated with adverse health effects (see also Air Toxics Issue Report). Some volatile organic compounds are known carcinogens, notably benzene, while carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides are also serious air pollutants. Some transport air emissions also contain lead (Pb) and respirable particulate material (PM10), both of which are associated with various health problems.
- Particulate Pollution: The primary source of particulate pollution in Tasmania is wood heaters. However, significant emissions also come from transportation and other sources. The transportation sector in Hobart and Launceston is the largest source of carbon monoxide, lead, and oxides of nitrogen (see Emission of Air Pollutants).
- Air Toxics: Diffuse sources, such as vehicles, are a major producer of air toxics, and improving air quality will require work in these areas.
- Carbon Monoxide: Carbon monoxide can have harmful effects on health, depending upon exposure time and concentration. Transportation is the dominant source of carbon monoxide emissions in Hobart (responsible for approximately 68% of emissions).
- Transport: The strong tendency for centralised workplaces, and the potential for further dispersal of the resident population into low density rural-residential areas, tends to generate the construction of road infrastructure, which then further encourages the urban and suburban development of peripheral areas, producing further reliance on the road network.
- The promotion of public transport use, the continued flexible public transport solutions by the Metro, and the attention to equitable pricing in transport fares may produce some improvement in public transport patronage. However, high-dependence on motor vehicles is related to a number of factors, such as dispersed settlement patterns and the variety of purposes for which vehicles are used, even within a single journey (e.g. taking children to school, going to work and shopping). The last SoE Report (1997) also identified the time disadvantage faced by people in commuting from the urban fringe to the city using public transport.
- Greater attention to creating more efficient settlement patterns would assist in providing incentives for the use of public transport in the future. It would also create greater flexibility in transport options should more people need to rely on public transport in the future (if fuel prices continue to increase or greenhouse gas emission targets were introduced at a national level).
What has been achieved 1998-2003 A number of management actions have been undertaken since the previous SoE Report that contribute to reducing pollution from transport in Tasmania, including the following. - Air quality monitoring, assessment and reporting for particulates, as required under the Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure, commenced for Hobart and continued, with upgraded monitoring facilities, in Launceston.
- An Ambient Air Toxics National Environment Protection Measure is currently being developed.
- The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources is involved in a range of noise and atmosphere pollution actions being undertaken through the National Road Transport Council and National Environment Protection Council. These include:
- Several national initiatives implemented in recent years to improve air emissions from the Australian transport sector have benefited Tasmania. These include the introduction of:
- lead replacement petrol;
- new Australian Design Rules for vehicle emission standards (introduced in 2002); and
- a 1997 Australian government environmental strategy for the motor vehicle industry, primarily designed to encourage reduced fuel consumption.
Tasmania Together Relevant Tasmania Together goals and standards for 'Atmosphere' are listed in the linked file. The Tasmania Together Progress Board reported on progress toward targets for benchmarks set (Tasmania Together Progress Board 2003). Indicators, targets and baseline data are available in the latest Progress Report June 2003. Further information, including progress report updates, is available from Tasmania Together. Further and related recommendations
Related Issue Reports
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