Clean Air Strategy
For Brisbane
Living In Brisbane 2026
Our Vision: Clean Air
Our aim is that by 2026, all Brisbane residents and visitors will breathe clean air – among the
cleanest of Australian capital cities.
By clean air, we mean it is safe to breathe, contains minimal pollution and promotes positive
health and wellbeing. It meets national standards and goals every year.
It enhances amenity and encourages active and healthy lifestyles that make the most of the
beautiful Queensland weather and natural environment.
Clean air allows the richness and diversity of natural habitats to be preserved and contributes
to a sustainable future for the region’s community and economy.
Lord Mayor’s foreword
Brisbane has long been known for its blue skies and healthy, outdoor lifestyle. These are
values that Council wants to continue to protect.
In this time of rapid growth, it is important that we plan our future air quality. This is why we are
taking action now.
The Clean Air Strategy for Brisbane is Council’s plan for the short to medium- term to put
Brisbane on track to reach its long term goal for clean air by 2026.
This plan recognises the strategic priorities facing Brisbane and the region and the actions
needed to tackle these challenges.
I encourage you to be active in creating our shared vision for a livable city in 2026 - have a
clean air conversation, share your clean air ideas and make clean air choices.
I look forward to working with you to ensure Brisbane stays clean, healthy and a great place to
live.
Campbell Newman
LORD MAYOR
The Clean Air Strategy At A Glance
Goal
Our aim is that by 2026, all Brisbane residents and visitors will breathe clean air – among the
cleanest of Australian capital cities.
FOCUSDING
How Brisbane City Council Will Achieve This Goal
Objectives
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Minimise the release of harmful pollutants to the air.
Minimise the impact of pollution on people.
Focus
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Health of the community
Our strategies will target pollutants that have an impact on health, in particular fine
particles, ozone, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds.
Impacts at the neighbourhood level
Whatever the regional picture shows, it is what people are exposed to locally that really
counts to protect community health. Neighbourhood issues will have prime importance.
Guiding Principles
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Lead by example.
Act now.
Delay and missed opportunities create poorer air quality in the future.
Make clean air a Council priority.
Integrate clean air thinking into all Council’s activities and programs and align with other
council and regional initiatives affecting air.
Collaborate with regional partners.
Seize opportunities to achieve timely change through partnerships and networks, in
particular the South East Queensland Council of Mayors.
Measure and report our success.
Progress against our goals and targets will be monitored, evaluated and reported annually.
Strategies
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Provide clean alternative travel choices.
Promote cleaner vehicles.
Make industry cleaner.
Reduce ‘dirty’ energy consumption.
Manage fire and smoke.
Promote clean indoor air.
An important point to note:
This Strategy will guide Council in taking steps within its power to achieve clean air as well as
encourage others to assist in achieving this goal.
Council can not unilaterally guarantee air quality. Contributing factors to air quality include
significant ones beyond Council’s control.
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1 Brisbane’s air quality
Clean air – the story so far
Today, Brisbane’s air quality is generally good compared to Melbourne and Sydney, but
compared to similar sized cities elsewhere - more can be done.
Overall the quality of our air meets national standards but occasionally higher levels of smog
(ozone) and particle pollution are experienced.
As a city, Brisbane has come a long way in managing air quality. Backyard incinerators, highsulphur diesel, lead-based paints and leaded petrol are all things of the past. Clear action
taken by federal, state and local governments has solved many air pollution problems.
Brisbane has benefited from:
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National standards and goals for the quality of our ambient air environment.
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Greater knowledge and understanding of pollutants and their movement in our region.
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An accurate account of pollution sources provided by the South East Queensland Air
Emissions Inventory1.
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New vehicle emission standards and stricter requirements for emissions performance and
fuel quality.
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Innovation and improvements in best available technologies for industry.
Council’s achievements
Council has delivered many successful initiatives for Brisbane’s air under previous air quality
strategies.
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A significant increase in the number of clean, compressed natural gas buses.
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More comfortable, cleaner and reliable public transport services.
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The highest proportion of electric-hybrid vehicles of any government fleet in Australia.
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Queensland’s first publicly-accessible heavy vehicle emissions testing facility.
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Trials of alternative fuels and vehicle technologies, such as biodiesel and a hybrid electricdiesel truck.
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Replacement of six-cylinder Council vehicles with fuel-efficient four-cylinder models.
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Partnership for the introduction of ultra-low-sulphur diesel for public consumption in South
East Queensland.
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760km of safe, connected bikeways and shared pathways.
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An online clean air index that reports on Brisbane’s air quality in real-time.
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Practical environmental guidelines for Council-licensed industries to help them improve
their performance.
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Banning pit burn operations and open burning for disposal of cleared vegetation.
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The South East Queensland Air Emissions Inventory (2004) is the product of a collaborative project between Queensland Environment
Protection Agency (now Queensland Department of Environment and Natural Resource Management) and Brisbane City Council.
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Research into roadside air pollution and planning solutions to help protect residents near
busy roads.
Separate incompatible land use, such as residential uses from polluting industries, through
good planning via Brisbane’s City Plan.
Community achievements
You, the community, have contributed to achieving clean air through:
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More residents choosing public transport with bus patronage increasing by 32% in three
years
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13% more people choose clean travel options as a result of our TravelSmart programs in
north Brisbane suburbs
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Cycling and walking on shared pathways increasing by up to 22% on week days and up to
36% on weekends (between 2004-2007)
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Many more residents being more energy efficient and using Green Power (from renewable
sources)
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Industry leaders taking on-board cleaner production and energy efficiency principles.
Where we are now
Queensland’s Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) is responsible
for ambient air quality monitoring – it reports that long-term trends in pollution levels across the
South East Queensland region are improving slightly.
Ambient air quality and meteorology parameters are measured at five locations across
Brisbane City Council area telling us the following about our air.
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Overall, the quality of the air we breathe meets national standards and goals for protection
of human health and wellbeing.
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Airborne particles (less than 10 μm in diameter) can exceed national guidelines multiple
times in a year - making these pollutants a priority for this Strategy.
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Occasionally, levels of ozone (an indicator of smog) exceed national guidelines. Smog
events occur as a result of slow reactions occurring between air pollutants in hot, low wind
conditions. To reduce smog, Council also places high priority on controlling nitrogen
oxides and volatile organic compounds, including localised air toxics, as precursors to
photochemical smog formation.
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Levels of carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide are stable or declining due to
improvements in engine design, emission control technology and fuel quality.
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Ambient air quality monitoring in the Brisbane City Council area show that levels of carbon
monoxide have not exceeded guidelines since 1999.
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Sulphur dioxide levels have not exceeded national guidelines at any location within the
Brisbane City Council area in the period extending from 1990 to 2008.
Despite our progress, there is more to be done.
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NUMBER OF DAYS AIR QUALITY EXCEEDED NATIONAL STANDARDS
25
20
15
10
5
0
1999-2000
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
NOTE: It is very difficult to pick out a clear trend in the amount of smog events (measured as ozone)
and in levels of airborne particles, as these vary greatly from year to year depending on how hot and
windy it is and during extreme events such as bushfires or dust storms.
New challenges for clean air
In the 21st century, Brisbane faces greater pressures than ever before.
Rapid growth
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By 2026 South East Queensland’s population will top 3.7 million - 2 million of those will live
in Brisbane.
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850,000 jobs in Brisbane will bring more people to the city every day from around the
region.
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Motorists will drive 31% more kilometres. Improvements in vehicle emissions-control
technology have benefited our air, but continued use of fossil fuels and the ever increasing
kilometres being driven, will negate some of the early gains.
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Increasing density will mean more people will live closer to pollution sources. A major
challenge will be to better understand the impacts of pollution on people’s health at a local
level.
Brisbane is already more susceptible to air pollution than most other Australian cities. The
surrounding mountain ranges and islands trap pollutants within the airshed until rain or strong
wind clears the air. Our subtropical climate favours smog formation. This is because hotter
temperatures increase emissions of volatile compounds that react to form smog, and our high
UV levels speed up those chemical reactions.
The challenge is to retain our environmental quality in the face of these inevitable changes.
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The need for decisive action
The need to focus on air quality is urgent due to rapid growth in the region and the long lead
times often needed for mitigation strategies to be developed, implemented and to take effect.
Delayed action can make a major difference to the benefits that can be achieved. For
example, had national vehicle standards kept up with the improvements in international
standards, vehicle emissions performance could be well advanced today. In this case, as with
many strategies for managing air quality, the benefits are only realised over a long period of
time. For this reason it becomes even more important to act sooner rather than later.
Did you know?
In 1800s New York, horses were the main mode of transportation. They were also the main
cause of air pollution on the city streets, kicking up dust and dirt. Motor cars were seen to bring
a ‘clean’ solution for the city’s air problems. What will tomorrow’s solutions be?
Clean air – our plan
Scope
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The Clean Air Strategy is a plan for the short to medium term to make sure Brisbane
reaches its long-term goal for clean air by 2026.
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The strategy focuses on air pollutants that impact on health – particles, ozone, nitrogen
oxides, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds, including localised air toxics.
Neighbourhood focus
While Council is committed to partnerships to improve regional air quality, this strategy focuses
on localised issues that impact at the neighbourhood level.
Our strategy highlights that, despite some improvement in the quality of ambient air, there is a
need to focus on pollution issues at the neighbourhood level to eliminate local pollution
‘hotspots’.
Clean air – part of a sustainable city
A sustainable city must look after the environment that we depend upon, the social structures
that look after our communities and the economy that serves us.
Clean air is one of the many programs Council has in place to help deliver a sustainable
Brisbane.
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Council’s role
Council works in partnership with other agencies, industry and
the community to protect air quality.
The following diagram gives an overview of the sharing of
responsibilities among the three levels of government.
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This strategy recognises the value of strategic links – such as shared goals and vision,
consistent measures, targets and opportunities for partnering in advocacy and procurement –
that will improve the likelihood of achieving the desired outcomes.
Because air quality is a regional issue we will work closely with other Councils through South
East Queensland’s Council of Mayors to drive better air quality outcomes for the region.
Our proposed actions
Council will deliver a sustainable program to manage air pollution that impacts on health. Road
transport accounts for over 60% of all our air emissions.
We will reduce these by:
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providing greater transport opportunities through the Transport Plan for Brisbane and
Brisbane Active Transport Strategy: Walking and Cycling Plan.
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promoting cleaner, more efficient vehicles, including the bus fleet and commercial
vehicles.
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piloting and planning for the feasibility of alternative fuels and technologies.
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advocating at state and federal levels for stricter controls on in-service vehicles.
Industrial processes contribute significantly to volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and
particles. These emissions will be targeted through:
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improvements in license requirements and auditing for industry regulated by Council.
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promote continual improvement through best practice information and guidance for
industry and showcasing innovation via CitySmart Innovation Festival.
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advocating to the State and Federal Governments for stricter emissions controls.
Burning of fossil fuels for electricity and transportation releases both toxic pollutants and
greenhouse gases. This plan is designed to make the most of the many strategies in the Plan
for Action on Climate Change and Energy that reduce air pollutants as well.
Smoke can contribute up to 66% of particle pollution. We will reduce this through:
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continuing to manage bushfire risk
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better managing smoke nuisance from domestic burning
We will promote healthy indoor air through community education and advocating stricter
building requirements.
We will endeavour to protect residents from exposure to harmful pollutants through:
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clever community design and planning solutions
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capturing benefits of natural solutions in Brisbane’s Open Space Strategy (currently in
draft)
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seeking to better understand health risks at the neighbourhood level.
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We will adopt natural solutions to improve the quality of the air we breathe through rooftop
gardens, neighbourhood shade-ways, urban forests and bushland regeneration.
Measuring success
We will know that Brisbane has achieved clean air because we will monitor:
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annual average pollution levels
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ambient air quality trends
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number of smog events (where ozone levels exceed national guidelines)
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air pollutant impacts
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scenic amenity, measured by visibility
We will track our own performance by measuring:
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total kilometres travelled by Council’s vehicle fleet
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proportion of lower polluting vehicles in Council’s fleet
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emissions of nitrogen oxides and particles from bus fleet
Clean air targets
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by 2012, the annual trend for ambient ozone and particle pollution will stabilise and
decrease
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by 2012, achieve 0 days where ambient pollution exceed the national standards
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by 2012, annual air pollution related complaint numbers stabilise and then decrease
Council will lead by example because we will be reducing emissions from Council activities
and helping the community to reduce their emissions also.
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2 Clean Alternative Travel Choices
Why is this an issue?
Life’s not easy without a car. That’s the reality for most of us in Brisbane now – yet there are
impacts, as shown in the graphs below.
Motor vehicles contribute disproportionately to pollution in our air – particularly particle
pollution, nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds that combine to form smog in the
right weather conditions.
By 2026, more than 3.7 million people will live in South East Queensland, generating an
estimated 31% more vehicle kilometres travelled in the region in the ‘business as usual’
scenario. Advances in vehicle technology will make new cars cleaner – but this alone isn’t
enough.
Council is committed to creating urban environments that promote clean and active travel
choices and good health. This is achieved by:
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providing effective public transport infrastructure and services
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providing a safe, connected network and facilities for walking and cycling
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easing traffic congestion to help avoid local air pollution impacts
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encouraging behaviour change towards green and active travel choices
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providing appropriate street signage for directions, way-finding and integration with public
transport modes to enhance take-up and enjoyment of active travel modes in Brisbane
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working with the community and developers to create integrated neighbourhoods that
promote walking and cycling and are less car dependent
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working with our regional partners to coordinate transport and land use planning that
minimises car commutes into Brisbane work centres from neighbouring shires.
What can I do about it?
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Think about the transport consequences when making major choices such as where to live
and work
- the savings in reduced travel costs and commuting time will reward your sustainable
lifestyle choices.
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Consider your ‘clean air’ travel options and make the most sustainable choice wherever
possible.
- Download bike maps from www.brisbane.qld.gov.au, grab an Active Travel guide to
check out your local bikeways and public transport routes or order your copy by calling
Council on (07) 3403 8888.
- Visit the Transport Information Centre in the King George Square Station for personal
advice on how to get around (corner of Ann and Roma Streets, City).
- Visit www.transinfo.com.au or call TransLink on 13 12 30 for all public transport
timetables and route planning.
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Cycle or walk those short trips and improve your health at the same time.
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Car pool with other members of your household, your neighbours and work colleagues.
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Investigate flexible work options such as telecommuting or travelling off-peak to avoid
times of heavy traffic congestion.
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If you work in the city, join the Cycle2City bike parking facility located in the King George
Square Station. This centre provides secure bike parking, showers, towels and more.
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Campaign for cyclist and walking ‘end of trip’ facilities at your workplace.
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Encourage your school to join the Active School Travel program to reduce traffic
congestion and air pollution around schools. For more information on this program, visit
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
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Get involved in planning your neighbourhood. Visit Council’s website to find out where
local neighbourhood plans are developing – www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search for
‘Neighbourhood’.
What Council Is Doing About It
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‘Green travelling’ in the city is made easy with Council’s new King George Square Travel
Information Centre (corner of Ann and Roma Streets, City) – a one-stop-shop for all public
transport, walking and cycling information.
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The new Cycle2City bike parking station in King George Square has 400 bicycle parks,
showers, ironing room and other facilities. Suitable for walkers and runners too.
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A $100 million commitment for 2008 to 2012 will increase the connectivity of the existing
760 kilometres of bikeways across Brisbane.
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A community bicycle and helmet hire scheme, similar to that of Paris and other major
European cities, is to be established in 2009, with 2000 bikes and 150 parking stations
between New Farm and the University of Queensland.
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Secure bike parking shelters are being established at major public transport interchanges
–now open at Mt Gravatt and Chermside.
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Over 70,000 north Brisbane households drove 13% less as a result of the TravelSmart
program (delivered in conjunction with Queensland Government), which gave personalised
advice on how to use local public transport, walking and cycling facilities for their daily
needs. Stage two TravelSmart is planned for east and south Brisbane.
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The Active School Travel program reduced journeys to/from participating schools by an
average of 12%, with some schools achieving more than 90% of students using active
modes on ‘Walking, Wheeling Wednesdays’. Twenty-one new schools will participate in
the program this year.
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Workplace travel plans for organisations to encourage employees to use public transport,
cycle, walk or carpool for workplace journeys, including the commute.
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Improved transport infrastructure, such as tunnels and bridges, reduce congestion, keep
traffic flowing and move large volumes of traffic away from urban centres.
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Public transport is continually improving with a larger, more modern bus fleet (a
commitment to 500 new buses by 2012) and CityCats, better coverage and frequency of
services, more late-night buses, and better connections between public transport modes.
Council will maintain a strong relationship with Translink to ensure quality services for
Brisbane.
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To encourage cycling and walking, the Neighbourhood Shadeways initiative will boost the
shade to bikeways and footpaths, especially routes to shops and transport nodes, from
38% to 50% by increasing street trees from 470,000 in 2006 to 610,000 by 2026.
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Council is investigating a bus rapid transit system offering fast and frequent services linking
West End to New Farm via the City.
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Public transport travel times and commuter safety and comfort will improve through better
public transport infrastructure.
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Public transport will be better utilised as more residents live closer to transport and other
facilities. This will unfold through the transport oriented developments as part of CityShape
Brisbane 2026
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Protecting people from exposure to transport emissions is being tackled by setting
guidelines in City Plan for new developments near major transport corridors. As our city
starts to increase in density, more and more people will be living close to transport hubs
and major roads. Careful design of buildings and street-scapes can reduce the amount of
pollution entering homes, for example by avoiding canyoning effects that trap pollutants low
down.
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Visit Council’s website, www.brisbane.qld.gov.au to access the Draft Transport Plan for
Brisbane 2006 – 2026 and the Brisbane Active Transport Strategy – Walking and Cycling
Plan 2005-2010.
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3 Cleaner Vehicles
Why is this an issue?
The greatest threat to the quality of Brisbane’s air is vehicle exhaust. Sometimes the pollution
is visible as black, sooty particles but for the most part the toxic compounds are completely
invisible. Exhaust contains nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and
fine particles. Some of the volatile compounds are known carcinogens, like benzene and
toluene.
Ensuring clean-operating vehicles is one of the most important ways we can protect our air.
The amount of toxic compounds that a vehicle emits depends on several factors:
a)
What kind of fuel it burns
Petrol vehicles emit more carbon monoxide and volatile compounds per kilometre
travelled, while diesels emit more fine particles. Electric and hybrid electric cars emit far
less of all pollutants. Even though coal-fired electricity emits pollutants at the power
station, these cars are still cleaner – even better on Green Power!
b)
The size of the vehicle and the engine
Smaller vehicles emit less per kilometre, as less fuel is burnt.
c)
The age of the vehicle
Newer model vehicles have much better emissions performance due to improved
technology. Advances like the catalytic converter, particle filters, fuel injection systems
and computerised engine control have made a dramatic difference to our air quality.
d)
How well it is maintained
We don’t reap the benefits of new technology if the equipment is not serviced regularly.
Regardless of its age, a car can emit as much as 10 times its performance standard if it
is not maintained well.
e)
How efficiently it is driven
Driving more smoothly uses less fuel, thereby releasing less pollution.
Better fuels make a difference
Since unleaded petrol was introduced, lead is no longer an air issue.
Low-sulphur diesel has made it possible to use better emissions control equipment to reduce
pollution even further.
Petrol with a lower vapour pressure has meant less volatile compounds evaporate from our
engines.
Improvements in fuel are governed by National Fuel Quality Standards and the Queensland
Fuel Quality Regulations.
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How about a hybrid?
Hybrid cars have an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Energy is captured from
the brake system to recharge the battery. Whether or not they are for you depends on where
and how far you drive.
As a rough comparison, if petrol were to cost $2 per litre and you drove 15,000km each year, it
would take about five years to pay back the difference between the Toyota Prius hybrid and
the standard Camry.
Emerging technology will see plug-in electric hybrids which you can recharge from the power
grid. Despite the emissions from the power station, this is still a good option for greenhouse
and pollution performance. Electricity supplied from renewable energy sources – that is, Green
Power – will eliminate all greenhouse and air pollution emissions.
What can I do about it?
Healthy car, healthy air, healthy wallet
Aim to buy the cleanest-running vehicle you can.
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A new model petrol car performs roughly 60% cleaner than a five-year-old car. A 10-yearold car would run at least 60% cleaner than a 15-year-old car. Diesel models improved
dramatically in 2003 and 2008.
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Choose the smallest model that meets your needs. The heavier the car, the more fuel you
will use and the more you will pollute.
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Consider what fuel type suits you best. Diesel can be more efficient but needs proper
maintenance to prevent high levels of particle emissions. If you do your sums you may find
that a hybrid car will pay for itself in saved fuel. Keep it clean and lean.
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Service your car regularly. Pollution control equipment deteriorates with use. Keeping
things like the catalytic converter, filters, fuel and ignition systems all working well makes a
big difference to the emissions.
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If you have an older car with a carburettor, make sure the choke is adjusted correctly so
that it doesn’t run too rich.
Visit the Green Vehicle Guide to help you compare models: www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au
If you’re buying an older car, first check this website for the Fuel Consumption Guide that
compares vehicles between 1986 and 2003.
All of these little things will save you fuel, cut your greenhouse emissions and reduce pollution:
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drive smoothly and you can reduce air pollution by 30%
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get organised and combine your short trips into one round trip
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keep your tyres inflated at the maximum recommended pressure
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cruising down the highway at 90km/h rather than 110km/h will use 25% less fuel
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remove any unnecessary weight in the car, like roof racks, toolboxes and prams
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use the air-conditioner sparingly
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using the low setting can save you 10% on fuel
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turn off the engine instead of letting it idle. Even if it’s just for a short period, you’ll save
more fuel than is lost by restarting the engine. Wear and tear on the engine from doing this
is negligible.
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Service your car regularly. Pollution control equipment deteriorates with use. Keeping
things like the catalytic converter, filters, fuel and ignition systems all working well makes a
big difference to the emissions.
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If you have an older car with a carburetor, make sure the choke is adjusted correctly so
that it doesn’t run too rich.
What council is doing about it
Keeping a clean Council fleet by:
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purchasing newer, cleaner buses
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partnering with Translink to choose cleaner buses and cleaner fuels
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emissions testing all of Council’s diesel vehicles
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replacing six-cylinder vehicles with smaller four-cylinder vehicles
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maintaining the highest proportion of hybrid cars of any Australian local or state fleet
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trialling alternative fuels, such as biodiesel for the city ferries and a hybrid-diesel truck
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keeping up with research on vehicle pollution issues, such as ultrafine particles.
Influencing other fleets through:
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marketing our heavy vehicles emissions testing service to other fleet managers.
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4 Cleaner Industry
Why is this an issue?
Brisbane doesn’t have a large industrial base compared with many other cities. All the same,
the industries in Brisbane emit a large proportion of nitrogen oxides, particles and volatile
organic compounds, all of which can affect our health.
The largest industries such as petroleum refining contribute to smog formation at a regional
level. While most power generation occurs outside Brisbane City, it also has a large influence
on smog in our region. These are licensed by the Queensland Department of Environment and
Resource Management and are beyond Council’s control.
Smaller industries also emit compounds and fine particles within their local area. Emission
levels must be well controlled to avoid impacts or undue risks to nearby residents.
Council regulates almost 3000 of these smaller-scale ‘environmentally relevant’ operations,
such as metal product manufacturing, service stations, automotive servicing, gravel quarrying
and concrete manufacture. Council specifies the emissions performance that each business
must comply with in their development approval in accordance with recognised codes and
standards.
Many existing small businesses with air emissions, for example dry cleaners, do not require a
regulated development approval but are still obliged not to cause environmental harm under
the Environmental Protection Act.
Council also has powers to regulate ‘nuisance’ emissions like dust, smoke, fumes and odour.
Brisbane’s rapid growth poses great challenges for protecting residents from industrial
emissions. By 2026 there will 38,000 more manufacturing jobs within Brisbane.
At the same time, greater demand for housing means that there is pressure to place more
people closer to industrial sites.
Forward-thinking planning solutions are vital to making sure Brisbane can accommodate both
industry and residents in a way that enhances the health of the community into the future.
What can industry do?
Industry associations play a powerful role in improving standards of operation by encouraging
uptake of cleaner practices.
Set company goals for continual improvement in emissions performance and adopt best
practice technology for cleaner production and process efficiency – visit DERM website
and search ‘cleaner production’ for more detailed advice for managers.
> Implement an environmental management system under the ISO 14000 operating standard
which can add a promotional benefit to the business.
> Join the Queensland Government’s ecoBiz program which helps small business achieve
resource efficiency. This is good for the bottom line and for the environment. For more
information, visit DERM website and search ‘ecoBiz’ – the site showcases the achievements
of many proactive businesses that have adopted cleaner practices.
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What council is doing about it
Minimising pollution
Through voluntary programs and local laws, Council encourages continual improvement in
industrial operating practices, involving the uptake of cleaner technologies and greater
resource efficiency. The benefits to the community include not only cleaner air, but fewer
greenhouse emissions, more resource recovery, less waste to landfill and a more profitable
and competitive industry base.
Under Council’s Industry Improvement program:
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Operators’ Environmental Guidelines provide operators with practical information on how
to achieve best practice environmental management
close consultation with industry has improved standards in cost-effective ways:
motor vehicle workshops now have more efficient paint application and spray booths,
better extraction and filtering of volatile compounds and particles, and low-volume
pressure spray guns
spray painters now use better fabric filters and activated carbon filters to capture isocyanites
boat repairers and marinas better contain dust and particles from painting and other
surface coating
service stations are required to install equipment to recover petrol vapour from the
underground tank refuelling process (Vapour Recovery Stage I)
concrete batching now recycle aggregate for better materials efficiency, have reduced
energy consumption and improved dust management.
Separating people from pollution sources
Even with advanced cleaner production technologies and the latest pollution prevention
measures, emissions from industrial activities cannot be completely eliminated. Therefore to
protect human health, planning for future development of the city needs to ensure new
residential areas are located in areas of high air quality that offer minimal risk of exposure to
industrial pollution. Council’s approach includes:
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developing separation distances between industry and sensitive land uses such as
residences
identifying appropriate areas for location of future industrial activities
setting planning controls for new residential developments near industry
advocating for state planning policies to give proper consideration of health risk when
planning the location of land uses
Leading by example
Council will make sure its own industrial activities are as clean as they can be by:
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implementing the Corporate Environmental Management System to promote continual
improvement of Council’s air emissions performance
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piloting innovative technology e.g. Australia’s first wastewater sludge thermal hydrolysis
process to enhance methane production for electricity generation and also reduce waste to
landfill.
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5 Cleaner Energy And Home Heating
Why is this an issue?
Electricity that comes from burning fossil fuel, such as coal or natural gas, not only releases
carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, but also air pollutants such as fine particles and nitrogen
dioxide that contribute to smog and impact on health.
That means that whatever you do to reduce your electricity greenhouse impact also has a
clean air benefit.
Here are a few tips on how to be more resource efficient in your home and cut both your
greenhouse and air pollutant emissions.
Green Power
You can dramatically cut your greenhouse emissions by making sure your energy comes from
clean, renewable sources such as wind, hydro or solar power.
Subscribe to an accredited Green Power scheme to replace some of your electricity with
electricity that only comes from renewable sources. If you subscribe to 100% Green Power,
the emissions will be virtually zero. Visit www.greenpower.gov.au for more information.
Hot water
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An electric hot water system accounts for about 30% of a typical Brisbane home’s
greenhouse emissions. Cut your hot water greenhouse emissions (and your hot water
bills) by 70% by switching to an efficient system – solar, gas or heat pump. Council now
offers a rebate for solar hot water systems.
Install water-efficient appliances and fittings.
Lighting
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Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs – they use 75% less electricity.
Low voltage does NOT mean low energy. Choose low ‘Watt’ bulbs to save power.
Appliances
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Choose appliances with a high energy star rating. For a fridge, every extra star will cut
greenhouse gas by 100kg per year and save $200 in running costs over its lifetime.
Turn appliances off at the wall and save up to 10% of your home’s emissions.
Minimise heating and cooling needs
Heating and cooling account for another 30% of a home’s greenhouse emissions. Climate
change is expected to cause more extremely hot days, increasing the use of air-conditioners.
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You can limit your need to heat and cool your house through:
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clever building design for passive heating and cooling.
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insulation, curtains and external shutters
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plant trees to provide shade for east and west facing windows.
Visit Council’s Green Heart CitySmart website at www.greenheartcitysmart.com.au, for more
information. It’s a one-stop-shop on everything you need to know to reduce your greenhouse
impact, improve your energy efficiency, choose alternative energy and live more sustainably.
What council is doing about it
These are some of the ways Council is reducing our reliance on fossil-fuel generated electricity
to help achieve clean air:
Green Heart CitySmart program offers residents practical tips and discounted household
products to cut their fossil fuel power consumption.
Visit the website at www.greenheartcitysmart.com.au to find out how you can join the
community effort.
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By 2011, 100% of Council’s electricity will come from renewable sources through Green
Power, making Council the largest Green Power purchaser in Australia.
Council will roll out a program to help and encourage other businesses and residents to
take up Green Power.
> Council has championed the generation of electricity from waste resources by using
methane gas from landfill and waste water treatment processes.
> Where waste energy sources are available, Council encourages the development industry
to adopt co-generation – a more efficient energy system designed to produce both
electricity and usable heat from a single fuel source.
> Green Square and Brisbane Square, Council’s main administration buildings, were the first
premises in Brisbane to achieve a five Green Star rating for office design as certified by
the Green Building Council of Australia.
> New buildings will be more energy-efficient through the Sustainable Built Environment
program, involving:
- stricter development conditions for new buildings
- an eco-advisory board giving technical advice for builders and developers and fasttracks approval for sustainable developments
- incentives for new buildings to be energy efficient.
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For Council’s long term plan to reduce Brisbane’s greenhouse impact and improve energy
efficiency in the future, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and download Council’s Plan for Action
on Climate Change and Energy.
Home heating: What’s the best option?
The cleanest way to heat and cool Brisbane homes is by an energy-efficient reverse-cycle airconditioner. Energy labels will help you choose the most efficient model for your needs.
If you subscribe to 100% Green Power, your electricity use will be guilt-free!
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Gas heaters should always be flued to the outside of the house. Avoid free-standing gas
heaters or kerosene heaters which can build up toxic levels of carbon monoxide and nitrogen
dioxide inside the house. Electric bar or fan heaters are the most inefficient style of heating
and, unless powered by Green Power, contribute the most to greenhouse gases.
For more information visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search for ‘home heating’.
What’s wrong with woodheaters?
While for some, wood smoke reminds them of songs and good times shared around the
campfire, in reality it is filled with toxic volatile compounds and fine particles (PM2.5). Volatile
compounds can be smelt even if there is no visible smoke. Fine particles affect children, the
elderly and those with respiratory illnesses.
The effect of wood smoke on a person’s health depends on how much and how often they are
exposed to the smoke. Health impacts can be serious for the owner of the heater if it is not
maintained properly and for neighbours if the smoke consistently wafts into their living areas or
bedrooms.
Winter inversion layers can trap smoke low down so that the effects of several chimneys
accumulate over a wide area. This can be seen on some winter mornings as a low hanging
pall.
I already own a wood heater, what can I do to reduce pollution?
It is your responsibility to install, operate and maintain the heater correctly to prevent smoke
annoying neighbours.
Remember, causing a smoke nuisance can incur a fine under the Queensland Environmental
Protection Regulation 1998.
Here are some golden rules for minimising smoke and protecting your health:
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make sure that the chimney height is correct for safe operation and for dispersion of
pollutants. If you are unsure seek professional advice. The Research Institute for
Sustainable Energy has good information available on their website – visit www.rise.org.au
and search ‘woodheaters’
diligently maintain your heater – door seals must not leak and the chimney must be clean
only ever burn untreated, properly seasoned, dry wood. Burning treated or painted wood
releases a potentially lethal mixture of toxins. This activity is illegal.
store your wood where it will stay dry
burn your fire brightly – keeping lots of oxygen in the fire will reduce smoke
don’t close the air intake overnight. Experiment with the control so that you can maintain a
flame. No flame means lots of smoke.
Getting it right can be difficult. For advice on how to install and operate your heater, download
Council’s wood heater guide from www.greenheartcitysmart.com.au.
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I am affected by other people’s wood heaters, what can I do?
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Talk to your neighbour and let them know your concern. You may like to direct them to
Council’s website for more information.
Call Council on (07) 3403 8888 to register a complaint. Keep a log of the details of the
smoke nuisance – write down when and how often the nuisance occurs, how it affects you,
how severe it is and how long it lasts
Council manages wood smoke complaints through an improved complaints management
process that aims to educate the woodheater owner on reducing smoke nuisance and
gives both the owner and the complainant a role in recording incidents of smoke nuisance.
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6 Bushfires And Planned Burning
Why is this an issue?
Brisbane is a very green city. All our wonderful bushland needs expert care and attention to
make sure the natural biodiversity is conserved and to protect homes from bushfire.
Apart from putting lives at risk, bushfire is a major source of fine particles and carbon
monoxide. In a high bushfire year, it can be the highest source (66%) of particle pollution in our
region’s airshed.
To reduce the risk of bushfire, Council undertakes a program of planned burns on Councilowned land to reduce fuel load. Other bushland areas throughout South East Queensland are
also managed by planned burn activities carried out by other councils or State agencies, which
all affect the air in Brisbane.
Planned or controlled burns are exactly that – very well-planned fires managed by expert staff.
They are not as fierce or as large as bushfires and do not release nearly as much pollution –
as much as 40 times less particle pollution than a high bushfire year.
Planned burns are a very important part of managing the safety of our community, the
protection of our bushlands and the health of our air.
What can I do about it?
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Take care when visiting our natural areas.
- Don’t litter! A cigarette butt from a car window can start a bushfire.
- Dispose of green waste correctly. Dumped waste can cause a huge build up of fuel.
- Teach your children the dangers of lighting fires.
- Report fires immediately on 000.
At home, if there is smoke outside, close windows and doors to keep it out of the house.
Listen to ABC radio for details of bushfires near you. For information on protecting your
property from bushfire or for what to do if threatened with imminent bushfire, visit the
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service website
www.fire.qld.gov.au/communitysafety/bushfire.
Find out when planned burns are likely to occur in your area - Council’s website lists the
burning program at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au. Click on ‘Services’ and ‘Fire management’.
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If you are especially sensitive to smoke or have a respiratory or circulatory illness, you
may wish to be notified personally of a burn in your area so that you can make
arrangements to be elsewhere for the day. Contact your Natural Area Coordinator on (07)
3403 8888.
What council is doing about it
The ways that Council manages the risk of bushfire:
> Planned burns are programmed to take place on Council-owned land to reduce the fuel
load and protect communities and infrastructure. The program targets where and how
much to burn based on risk and ecological requirements of the vegetation.
> Maintaining fire management tracks (firebreaks) around infrastructure and vegetation
where needed.
> Maintaining effective fire management crews, trained to nationally-accredited fire fighting
standards and equipped with light-attack fire fighting equipment.
> Keeping abreast of the most recent knowledge about fire management, including the
possible effects of climate change.
> Engaging with local schools to help reduce the incidence of juvenile fire-lighting.
> For more information on programs to tackle arson, please visit the Queensland Fire and
Rescue Service website www.fire.qld.gov.au.
Ways that Council reduces smoke emissions from planned burning.
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Unless there is a pressing need, planned burns generally do not go ahead if:
the ‘clean air index’ shows poor air quality
smoke dispersion forecasts are not favourable
a neighbouring agency is planning a large burn on that day.
Managing exposure
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Ensuring residents are warned of planned burns via Council’s website, newspaper
advertisements and local letterbox drops.
Residents with health concerns may ask to be personally notified of burning activities, so
that they can make arrangements to avoid unnecessary exposure. This service extends to
businesses that may be impacted e.g. the airport.
Council is working to incorporate high fire risk areas into City Plan to give legal impetus for
development controls and ‘acceptable solutions’ aimed at discouraging residential
development next to high fire risk areas.
To view Council's program of planned burns visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and select ‘fire
management'.
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7 Clean Indoor Air
Why is this an issue?
You may be surprised to learn that Australians spend about 90% of their time indoors. The air
we breathe indoors and how it affects our health is a growing concern.
Many ordinary household products can pose a risk to our health. This includes cleaning fluids,
furniture, carpets, paints and gas appliances.
The house can build up quite a cocktail of unhealthy substances in the air. Table 1 lists
common household products that emit air pollutants and their potential health effects.
As with all pollutants, how they affect your health depends on how much of it you are exposed
to, how many different pollutants you are exposed to and how susceptible you are as an
individual to those pollutants.
What about the workplace?
The health of indoor air in the workplace is governed by State Workplace Health and Safety
legislation. This does not generally cover paint, furnishings and cleaning products used in the
building.
What can I do about it?
General guidelines for keeping healthy air indoors.
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Keep your house well ventilated.
Look for non-toxic alternatives.
If you need to use toxic substances, do so sparingly and follow the directions for use
carefully.
Cleaning
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Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda is a wonderful all-purpose cleaning agent that our
grandmothers used to use.
Lemon or vanilla make good natural air fresheners.
Use door mats to remove dust from shoes.
Maintain your vacuum cleaner properly.
Always wash new clothes before you wear them.
Renovating
> Be alert for asbestos and old lead-based paint. For more information go to
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/environment-waste/rubbish-tips-bins/asbestos
> Use low-volatile paint and varnish.
> Use plant-based hard oils or waxes for wood finishing.
> Choose untreated wood products.
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Use sustainably-grown solid wood or plywood. Cover all surfaces of MDF with laminate or
seal with low emitting paint or varnish.
Biological
> Control dampness to minimise mould, fungi and dust mites.
> Clean carpets regularly.
> Use indoor plants to help clean the air.
Pest control
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Try traps, herbal controls or low toxic pesticides such as those based on pyrethrum.
Use termite barriers made from granite or stainless steel instead of chemical barriers.
Furnishings
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Look for low-formaldehyde furniture and low-emission carpet.
Use sisal, coir or jute flooring instead of carpet.
Use jute or recycled textile underlay instead of synthetic carpet underlay.
Ask for mechanical carpet fixing. If glue is needed, ask for water based adhesive.
Heating and cooking
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Choose a clean alternative such as reverse cycle air conditioning.
Make sure gas appliances such as heaters and stoves are flued to the outside, away from
open windows.
Keep wood heaters well maintained and brightly burn properly seasoned, untreated wood.
Position your air conditioner air intake away from the road or any other source of
pollutants.
For more tips on keeping healthy air indoors, visit http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/environmentwaste/green-living/green-homes/improve-indoor-air-quality
What Council is doing about it
Council’s Sustainable Built Environment program offers incentives for new and existing
buildings to improve indoor air quality.
Other interesting websites
EPA Victoria – Air Quality Information
US Environmental Protection Agency – Indoor Air Quality
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8 The way forward
It takes a combined effort from many different functions of Council to deliver on the goals of
the Clean Air Strategy for Brisbane. These are some of the processes for keeping the strategy
moving forward.
Working together
Working groups for different action areas will be established to collaboratively progress
Strategy implementation.
Working groups will be made up of officer-level ‘clean air allies’ from relevant Council areas.
Working groups will make the most of strategic links and partnerships with key Queensland
Government and industry stakeholders who may also be invited to attend working group
meetings, when appropriate.
These working groups will also act as forums to discuss emerging research, sharing
information across Council and troubleshooting.
Council will continue to cultivate broader partnerships to influence outcomes and develop
solutions to issues that are regional or national in scope and beyond our control.
Tracking progress
The working groups will review the progress of actions against milestones and performance
measures and report on the progress of actions to Council’s senior management and
councillors.
Each year, a report card will be made available to the public to explain how the strategy is
tracking against targets. The report card will be available at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.
Evaluation and monitoring
The Strategy will be updated annually and reviewed after five years. The success of the
strategy will be evaluated against goals, objectives and performance indicators, and the results
publicly reported.
The strategy is designed to be a living document. Sections may be updated when the need
arises and research develops rather than waiting for the final review. New actions that further
the clean air objectives will be added as they happen.
For progress updates and
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.
news
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How you can get involved
If you are interested in having your say on issues in Brisbane or in your neighbourhood, there
are a few ways that you can join in.
If you do not have access to a computer, you can also access resources at Council libraries.
Otherwise, phone Council on (07) 3403 8888 for more information.
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Join Your City Your Say. You will receive regular newsletters and invitations to
consultation activities for lots of Council projects and get to hear what other people think.
Visit Council’s website to join online discussion forums on ever-changing topics. Visit
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search for ‘your say’.
If you’re under 25, visit www.visible-ink.org and www.generate.qld.gov.au for ways that
you can help shape your community.
Get involved in planning your local neighbourhood. Visit Council’s website to find out
where local plans are developing – visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search for
‘Neighbourhood’.
Go along to a Green Heart CitySmart event. There’s lots of information on local issues and
how to live sustainably in Brisbane – for dates and locations, visit
www.greenheartcitysmart.com.au or call Council on (07) 3403 8888. While online, put your
heart on the map and sign up to show your commitment to a sustainable Brisbane.
Developing a clean air strategy is another way Council is achieving our vision for the city’s
future.
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