Reducing Air Pollution

Tasmanians rank air pollution as a major environmental concern. Emissions from woodheaters, planned burning, cars and industry all affect the air we breathe and the health of our community. All of us are responsible for local air pollution in one way or another and we can each do something every day to make a difference to our local air quality.

A primary air quality issue for Tasmania is domestic wood smoke. The Environment Division has developed the Environmental Management and Pollution Control (Distributed Atmospheric Emissions) Regulations to control the import, sale and installation of wood heaters prohibiting those that do not meet the current Australian Standard, AS4013. The regulations make an offence of the emission of excessive smoke from wood heaters, fireplaces, hot water and cooking appliances and barbecues. With certain exceptions, backyard burning on allotments of less than 2000 square metres is prohibited. The new regulations were gazetted in August 2007.

Improving Woodheater Use
Using wood heaters properly saves money and reduces health risks.
Make Your Home Energy Efficient
An energy efficient home requires less heating and creates less air pollution.
Improve Air Quality Inside Your Home
Because we spend nearly 90% of our time indoors, indoor air quality is important to human health.
Motor Vehicle Emissions
All the emissions from vehicles affect the quality of the air we breathe.
Learn How Weather Affects Air Quality
Weather and landscape have strong influences on air quality.
Air Quality Education Resources
Links to some of the many local and global air quality education resources.

Useful Links

Useful Links - Air Quality - links relating to air quality, air pollution and atmospheric science

Further Information

For further information, contact:

Air Specialist

134 Macquarie Street
GPO Box 1751
Hobart TAS 7001

Phone: 03 6233 3373
Fax: 03 6233 3800

Email: EnvironmentEnquiries@environment.tas.gov.au