Draft Parramatta Local Air Quality Plan
Managing air quality for the people of Parramatta
2003
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Draft Parramatta Local Air Quality Plan
CL……. OUTCOMES
ATTACHMENT 1
Contents
Vision……………………………………………………………………….Parramatta Local Air Quality Plan
Improving air quality in Parramatta………………………………………….
Purpose of the Parramatta Local Air Quality Plan………………………
Objectives of the Parramatta Local Air Quality Plan……………………
Implementing the Plan…………………………………………………………….
What is air quality?………………………………………………………………….
What are the effects of air quality?……………………………………………
How do we measure air quality?……………………………………………….
What are the impacts of Parramatta’s air quality………………………..
What are we currently doing to address air quality?……………………
Parramatta Air Quality Action Plan……………………………..
Appendix 1
Policies and Plans…………………………………………………………………… / 2
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Vision
Parramatta is a City that involves all sectors of the community in improving air quality for the region.
Parramatta Local Air Quality Plan
Improving air quality in Parramatta
The quality of air in Parramatta has been of concern to the local community for some time. According to the Parramatta Community Survey conducted in 2001, Parramatta residents consider air quality to be the second highest environmental priority. The increasing use of vehicle transport and urban sprawl of Sydney has heightened concern in the community about existing and future air quality.
Long term monitoring conducted by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) indicates that the pressure on Sydney and Parramatta’s air quality is increasing. Although current indications are that air quality in NSW is generally good, the two main problems within the Greater Metropolitan Region (Sydney, lower Hunter and Illawarra regions are photochemical smog and particle pollution (brown haze).
The Parramatta Local Air Quality Plan (the Plan) provides strategies to address air quality in Parramatta and encourages all interested stakeholders and the community to become involved in improving existing and future air quality in the local area and the Sydney Region.
By preparing a Local Air Quality Plan, Parramatta City Council will confirm itself as one of the leading Councils in the Sydney Region to take an active role in improving air quality. The Plan will also link with other projects being undertaken by the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) and the EPA.
Purpose of the Parramatta Local Air Quality Plan
The Parramatta Local Air Quality Plan (the Plan) has been developed as a framework for improving air quality in the Parramatta local government area. However, given that the issue of air quality is not clearly defined by LGA boundaries the Plan will provide an action plan to improve the air quality in the region.
A number of projects are being undertaken at a federal, state, regional and local level to address the issues associated with air quality (See Appendix 1). In preparing a Plan for Parramatta, local actions have been developed which will ensure consistency in approach and involve the Parramatta community in improving air quality.
The objectives of the Parramatta Local Air Quality Plan are to:
- Raise awareness of air quality in the local community
- Develop partnerships and programs that encourage involvement from the commercial, industry and residential community, as well as government sectors (local, state, federal), in reducing air pollution in the Parramatta Local Government Area.
- Provide an action plan for the implementation of a range of air quality management measures.
- Respond to international, national, state, regional and local air quality initiatives, policies and legislation.
- Take a regional leadership role in managing the issues associated with improving air quality.
Implementing the Plan
The Outcomes Group sets the strategic direction of Council and will have accountability for ensuring that the Plan is implemented. The Outcomes Group will work in partnership with other sections of Council to implement the plan, with particular involvement from relevant teams within Council’s City Services Group to implement some of the actions identified in the Parramatta Local Air Quality Plan –Action Plan.
Key Air Quality Outcomes
The key air quality outcomes listed below form the framework for the Action Plan. To realise the vision for air quality, Council will focus on achieving the following key outcomes:
Council is a recognised leader in air quality management.
The community and other stakeholders are involved in air quality management.
Land use planning that reduces Parramatta’s impact on air quality.
Transport planning that reduces air pollution generation in Parramatta.
Business and industry involvement in reduction of emissions and long term air quality management.
What is air quality?
Air Quality is a measure of the suitability of air for breathing by people, plants and animals, in terms of potential health impacts. Smoke, dust and emissions from industry and motor vehicles all have an impact on the quality of the air we breathe.
People need approximately 13 000 litres of clean air a day to live but only need 1 litre of water!
What are the effects of poor air quality?
There are many substances in the air that may affect community and environmental health, or reduce visibility. Substances not naturally found in the air or at greater concentrations than usual are referred to as 'pollutants'.
Pollutants can be classified as either primary or secondary. Primary pollutants are substances directly produced by a process, such as carbon monoxide gas from a motor vehicle exhaust. Secondary pollutants are not emitted. Rather, they form in the air when primary pollutants react or interact. An example of a secondary pollutant is ozone—one of the many secondary pollutants that make up photochemical smog.
The two regional pollution problems of concern are photochemical smog and particle pollution.
How do we measure air quality?
Sydney’s air has been monitored for a range of pollutants since the 1960s. By the early 1980s, daily air quality reports were being released, based on concentrations of ozone and fine particles. In 1993 the air-monitoring network was reviewed with stations being established in western Sydney due to the increasing population and impacts on air quality.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority now reports the results of air quality monitoring within the Sydney airshed on a daily basis through the Regional Pollution Index (RPI). The RPI is calculated twice daily based on the measured concentrations of ozone and nitrogen dioxide and a measure of visibility.
What are the impacts on Parramatta’s air quality?
Western Sydney’s size and location means that air quality is often poor during certain weather conditions. Air quality varies in response to the terrain, time of day and wind flow. In addition, the nature of air circulation over Sydney means that it is affected by pollutants generated throughout the metropolitan area, not just those generated in the region.
The table below details the main impacts on Parramatta’s air quality.
Transport / -Emissions from private motor vehicles, commercial vehicles including couriers and diesel freight vehicles-Emissions from transport developments including the M2 and M5 Motorway and the Western Sydney Orbital and the proposed second airport at Badgery’s Creek
Industry / -Emissions from petroleum refining and chemical manufacturing
-Dust and chemical use in the construction industry
Commercial / -Spray drift and chemical use in car detailing and panel beating
-Emissions, fumes and odours from dry cleaning services, printers and service stations
Retail / -Cooking odours and oily fumes from food preparation
-Lighting, energy use, concentrated fumes in car parks and air conditioning in shopping centres
Residential / -Smoke from backyard burning and solid fuel heaters
-Emissions from lawn mowers
Urban Development and Land Use / -Increasing transport and household energy use
-Reduction of vegetation cover from land clearing and housing construction
-Land use conflicts such as industrial uses located near residential areas
What are we currently doing to address air quality?
Parramatta City Council has been actively involved in air quality management for several years. Council has participated in campaigns for the reduction in solid fuel heaters, education campaigns for local businesses and has acted on complaints from the community about air quality impacts.
Parramatta Air Quality Plan – Action Plan
The following actions are grouped under the Key Air Quality Outcomes.
Council is a recognised leader in air quality management.Program Action / Priority / Partners
Conduct an audit into Council’s impact on air quality and monitor progress towards reducing this impact. Report on this progress in State of the Environment reports. / Medium / WSROC
EPA
Other Councils
Continue involvement in the Environment Protection Authority’s air quality grants program. / Ongoing / EPA
Other Councils
Undertake regulatory action in accordance with the air quality provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 & Regulations as amended. Report on this progress in State of the Environment reports. / Ongoing / -
Continue to support the NSW Environment Protection Authority air quality monitoring program for the purpose of achieving the National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) for Ambient Air Quality in the region / Ongoing / -
Provide air quality information on the Parramatta City Council website with links to the Environment Protection Authority site and Pollution Index. / Medium / EPA
Investigate the possibility of Council’s rangers reporting on ‘Smoky Vehicles’ through the Environment Protection Authority Program. / Medium / EPA
WSROC
Investigate the training options available for staff using small plant and heavy vehicles to improve fleet fuel economies / Ongoing / EPA
RTA
Include air quality as a consideration in purchasing, particularly in the purchase of plant and fleet vehicles. / High / -
Investigate public transport options as part of employees’ remuneration packages (i.e. travel cards). / Ongoing / -
Encourage Council staff to adopt public transport alternatives for attending meeting, travelling to and from work. / Ongoing / -
The community and other stakeholders are involved in air quality management.
Program Action / Priority / Partners
Support local schools in adopting the Airwatch Schools Program and other air quality programs. / Medium / Local Schools
Organise local events for Smogbusters Day and other air quality events to increase the awareness of air quality issues in the community. / Ongoing / NRMA
RTA
Develop partnerships with other stakeholders to promote air quality initiatives and education programs. / Ongoing / WSROC
Other Councils
RTA
NRMA
Develop an education campaign for solid fuel and wood burning heaters in conjunction with WSROC and surrounding Councils. / Medium / EPA
WSROC
Other Councils
Develop an education campaign for local residents, which provides information on using electric and fuel powered garden equipment to follow on from Council’s Small Plant Project. / Medium / EPA
Small Plant (Equipment) Manufacturers
Land use planning that reduces Parramatta’s impact on air quality.
Program Action / Priority / Partners
Prepare a framework to assist development applicants in preparing Environmental Management Plans, incorporating air quality issues. / High / EPA
DIPNR
Integrate the Environmental Management Plan Framework in Council’s Development Control Plans. Use this framework to consolidate the information requested from applicants in the Development Control Plan. / High / -
Request an Environmental Management Plan be included in all development applications for significant development (large sites, high density development) / High / DIPNR
Strengthen the requirements for dust control by drafting conditions of consent and request dust control measures be included in Site Management Plans. / Ongoing / EPA
Transport planning that reduces air pollution generation in Parramatta.
Program Action / Priority / Partners
Ensure that future Residential Housing strategies consider increased residential densities around public transport nodes. / Ongoing / DIPNR
Continue involvement in State Transport Planning initiatives to provide a range of public transport options for residents. / Ongoing / DIPNR
DoT
Business and industry involvement in reduction of emissions and long term air quality management.
Program Action / Priority / Partners
Continue the environmental education program for Mobile Businesses providing information on their potential impacts on the environment, waste management solutions and potential air emissions (odour and emissions). / Ongoing / WSROC
Other Councils
Work with local service stations to reduce emissions and petrol vapours. / Medium / WSROC
EPA
Prepare an odour inventory of the Parramatta Local Government Area. / Ongoing / EPA
CASANZ
Continue the Environmental Auditing program of unscheduled premises. / Ongoing / EPA
Appendix 1
Policies and Plans
Federal
National Greenhouse Strategy
National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development
National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality
State
Action for Air – NSW Government’s 25 year Air Quality Management Plan
Shaping Our Cities
Sustainable Solutions for the Future
NSW Greenhouse Action Plan 1998: New Greenhouse Initiatives
NSW State Implementation Plans for the National Greenhouse Strategy
Regional
WSROC State of the Environment Reports
Local
Parramatta City Council State of the Environment Reports
Legislation, Convention and Agreements
National
National Environment Protection Council Act 1994
National Environment Protection Measures (Implementation) Act 1998
Ozone Protection Act 1989
State
Action for the Environment – NSW Government Environment Statement 2001
National Environmental Protection Council (New South Wales) Act 1995
Electricity Supply Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction) Act 2002-No.122
Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2002
Clean Air (Plant and Equipment) Regulation 1997
Ozone Protection Regulation 1997
Protection of the Environment Operations (Control of Burning) Regulation 2000
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Draft Parramatta Local Air Quality Plan