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Wood Heaters
In many parts of Australia, especially in regional centres, woodsmoke from woodheaters is the main cause of particle pollution in winter. Launceston, Tasmania, along with other regional centres, has a long history of using wood for home heating. In the past, Launceston, experienced the highest levels of particle pollution in Australia.
In 1994 about 66% of all households in Launceston used wood for heating, resulting in some very poor air quality outcomes for the city during winter. By the year 2000, the number of woodheaters had been reduced to 45% but particle pollution levels remained significantly above the newly created National Standard. The high level of woodheater use, combined with the local meteorological and topographic conditions and resulting high levels of pollution, led to community concern about the health impacts on the local population.
To address the problem, the Australian Government introduced the Launceston Woodheater Replacement Program. The $2.05 million program was funded through the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust for the period July 2001 to June 2004.
The Program provided eligible Launceston residents with rebates to help replace older woodheaters and open fireplaces with new, less polluting heaters. By the completion of the Program, woodheater use had declined to 30%. This reduction in woodheater use was the result of woodheater replacement through the Program and a decrease in the use of wood for home heating, a trend that was already occurring. A higher level of awareness of the health impacts of woodsmoke pollution, together with a desire for more convenient sources of heat, were driving this trend.
The program was administered jointly by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Launceston City Council, in collaboration with the Tasmanian State Government. The design of the program was based on the outcomes of the earlier scoping study Woodheater Emissions Management Program for the Tamar Valley.
The Australian Government commissioned the Woodheaters in Launceston - Impacts on Air Quality to assess the influence of the Program in reducing pollution in the region. This CSIRO study found that since the introduction of the Program there has been a significant improvement in air quality and reduction in particle pollution.
To maximise the benefits of the Program, a number of additional initiatives were also implemented to reduce woodsmoke pollution in Launceston and the surrounding Tamar Valley. These included a targeted community education campaign implemented by the Launceston City Council and new air quality regulations to control woodheater emissions by the Tasmanian Government. The Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and the Environment undertakes daily monitoring of particle emissions at Ti Tree Bend in Launceston.
The Australian Government is continuing to work with State and local government to extend the targeted community education to other areas of Tasmania.