Air Quality

The air quality in the Kiama Municipality is affected by local, regional and global sources and is therefore an issue that crosses local Council boundaries. Poor air quality can impact on our health and the environment. The New South Wales Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) monitors air quality in Wollongong and Albion Park, but currently there are no monitoring stations in the Kiama Municipality. The DEC's Regional Pollution Index is reported annually in Council's State of the Environment Report.

The main sources of air pollution include motor vehicles, backyard burning, solid fuel heaters, bushfires, energy consumption, odour, dust from unsealed areas, waste production, vegetation clearing, and direct emissions from certain primary and secondary industries.

Current projects and policies

Local air quality management plan

Council developed a Local Air Quality Management Plan in 2001 (pdf 853 KB), which aims to establish and maintain clean air for the community of the Kiama Municipality. The plans are to:

implement a local and regional approach to air quality management
educate, inform and involve the Community in air quality and its management
improve energy efficiency within the Council area
reduce the impact of air pollution for vehicle emissions
reduce air pollution from industry and other sources
monitor the impacts of air quality within the Municipality
encourage and undertake activities that will have a positive impact on air quality.

Council's progress towards achievement of the strategies outlined in the Plan is reported annually in the State of the Environment Report 2004.

Burning of Vegetation Policy

Council has adopted a No Burn Policy within the Kiama Municipality. Council will only consider applications to burn piles of vegetation that relate to properties performing rural activities. Approval is subject to an inspection by one of Council's officers taking into account the material being burnt and the impact this activity may have on the local air quality.

Pile Burning of Vegetation Approval Request Form and Explanation

Cycleways and walking paths

The use of cycleways and walking paths promote physical activity as well as improved air quality through alternative transport options. Council's Cycleways Plan is a strategic plan incorporating engineering, educational and encouragement strategies and lists the priority cycleway projects. Council's "Walk-It" Kiama Program, which includes path marking, mapping, events, expansion of paths and supportive environments for physical activity, promotes the use of these paths.

Regulation of air pollution

Council's Environmental Health Officer and Ranger Services Officers investigate complaints received by Council relating to air pollution, and the Department of Environment and Conservation investigates complaints regarding air pollution from scheduled premises and activities and smoky vehicles. Clean Up Notices, Prevention Notices or Penalty Infringement Notices for water pollution offences may be issued by these officers under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.

External Links

Last updated: Friday 4 January, 2013