❓ Hon Jim Scott questions the Minister for the Environment regarding increasing smoke haze and smog in Perth, the delay in releasing the Air Quality Management Plan, and funding for its implementation. The Minister acknowledges the issue, provides data showing improvement, identifies causes, and confirms the plan's finalization and funding allocation.
AnsweredQoN 933Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
933. Hon Jim Scott to the Attorney General representing the Minister for the Environment:
(1) Is the Minister for the Environment aware that the Perth Metropolitan Area is again experiencing serious levels of smoke haze and smog pollution?
(2) What are the main causes of this problem?
(3) Is the Minister aware that smoke haze and smog can cause a variety of respiratory disorders and even death in some cases?
(4) In view of the worsening air pollution problem in Perth, why has the Minister failed to prepare and release the Air Quality Management Plan which was promised in response to the Select Committee on Perth's Air Quality Report?
(5) Has funding been allocated in this year's State Budget for the implementation of the Air Quality Management Plan?
(6) If yes, how much?
(1) Is the Minister for the Environment aware that the Perth Metropolitan Area is again experiencing serious levels of smoke haze and smog pollution?
(2) What are the main causes of this problem?
(3) Is the Minister aware that smoke haze and smog can cause a variety of respiratory disorders and even death in some cases?
(4) In view of the worsening air pollution problem in Perth, why has the Minister failed to prepare and release the Air Quality Management Plan which was promised in response to the Select Committee on Perth's Air Quality Report?
(5) Has funding been allocated in this year's State Budget for the implementation of the Air Quality Management Plan?
(6) If yes, how much?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 November 2000
Response time
41 days
The Minister Replied:
(1) There were no days in 1999/2000 when ozone exceeded the NEPM standard of 0.10 parts per million. While there were 179 hours of reduced viaibility recorded at 6 metropolitan sites during 1999/2000, this represents a drop from 265 hours in 1998/1999 and 394 hours in 1997/1998. There have been no exceedences of the 50 micrograms/cubic metre PM10 NEPM particle level from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) monitoring sites during 1999/2000, a reduction from 1 recorded in 1998/1999 and 5 in 1997/1998.
(2) The main causes of photochemical smog are motor vehicle and industrial emissions. The main contributors to reduced visibility and increased particle levels, are emissions from docmestic wood heating, with a minor component due to natural wildfires, control burning practices and motor vehicle emissions.
(3) Yes.
(4) The Perth Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) is being finalised and will be released shortly.
(5) DEP has secured a forward funding commitment for implementation of the AQMP for the financial years 2001/2002, 2002/2003 and 2003/2004.
(6) A total budget of 3.545 million dollars.
(1) There were no days in 1999/2000 when ozone exceeded the NEPM standard of 0.10 parts per million. While there were 179 hours of reduced viaibility recorded at 6 metropolitan sites during 1999/2000, this represents a drop from 265 hours in 1998/1999 and 394 hours in 1997/1998. There have been no exceedences of the 50 micrograms/cubic metre PM10 NEPM particle level from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) monitoring sites during 1999/2000, a reduction from 1 recorded in 1998/1999 and 5 in 1997/1998.
(2) The main causes of photochemical smog are motor vehicle and industrial emissions. The main contributors to reduced visibility and increased particle levels, are emissions from docmestic wood heating, with a minor component due to natural wildfires, control burning practices and motor vehicle emissions.
(3) Yes.
(4) The Perth Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) is being finalised and will be released shortly.
(5) DEP has secured a forward funding commitment for implementation of the AQMP for the financial years 2001/2002, 2002/2003 and 2003/2004.
(6) A total budget of 3.545 million dollars.
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