Air Pollution Deaths Reveal Failure of Air Quality Programs

Tuesday, 12 September 2006 23:06

Total Environment Centre (TEC) Urban Campaigner Mr Leigh Martin said "There has been a clear failure on air quality and public transport. Sydney residents are continuing to suffer from smog and fine particle pollution as vehicle emissions remain a major and growing source of air pollution”.

A report quietly released by the NSW Government on progress of its Action for Air program reveals that Sydney continues to suffer from serious air pollution eight years after the program’s inception and that public transport is failing to keep pace with demand.

The Department of Environment and Conservation’s Action for Air 2006 update recently appeared on the department’s website with little fanfare and reveals that there has been no improvement in ozone levels (the major indicator of photochemical smog) or fine particles since 1998 with national and World Health Organisation standards regularly exceeded. Vehicle use continues to grow with Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (VKT) outstripping population growth.

“Vehicle use continues to grow due to the failure of public transport to keep pace with demand. Sydney residents are being forced into ever increasing car dependency and are paying the price with chronic air pollution as more cars on the road negate progress on cleaner engines and fuels”, Mr Martin said.

TEC has called on the Government to address the problem by bringing forward major transport infrastructure such as the proposed North West, South West and Harbour rail links and to commit to extension of the current light rail network.

“It is simply not good enough to blame hot weather or bush fires for Sydney’s appalling air pollution. The evidence is clear that Sydney will face ever worsening traffic chaos and air pollution unless urgent steps are taken to improve public transport. Rising petrol costs present a major opportunity to increase public transport patronage, however, this opportunity will be lost unless services are radically improved”, Mr Martin said.