EPPRP Assessment of the Draft Air Quality Policy November 2002

This report has been prepared by the Environment Protection Policy Review Panel (Panel) and provides an assessment of the Draft Environment Protection Policy (Air Quality) September 2001 (Draft Policy). Forty-nine written submissions, twenty-nine verbal representations and thirteen exhibits were received on the Draft Policy during its exhibition and public hearing period.

The majority of comment on the Draft Policy centred on three main issues: resource implications; environmental nuisance provisions for woodsmoke; and the visual impact of planned forestry regeneration burns.

From evidence presented at the hearings and from submitters it is evident that significant air quality problems exist within many urban airsheds across Tasmania and are not confined simply to parts of Launceston and Hobart. It is evident to the Panel that unless a more proactive approach is adopted to the management of air quality in Tasmania then the National Environment Protection Council (Ambient Air Quality) Measure standards, particularly for particulates, are unlikely to be achieved by 2008. The
Panel therefore considers that existing legislation will not be sufficient to address the long-term management of air quality in Tasmania. The need for an Environment Protection Policy on Air Quality has been established and the Panel recommends that a Environment Protection Policy (Air Quality) be introduced.

Contents include: Executive Summary; Introduction; Panel Report; Assessment of the Draft Policy; plus four appendices.

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EPPRP Assessment of the Draft Air Quality Policy - November 2002

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