GOVERNMENT PROGRESSING WORK ON WOODSMOKE POLLUTION

The ACT Government will undertake a survey to identify what incentives would encourage residents to remove their wood heaters, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Simon Corbell, said today.

"The Government funded the campaign as part of the 2010-11 Budget, to highlight the issues related to wood smoke in the community and how the pollution can affect the environment," Mr Corbell said.

"Canberra's air quality is generally good but in winter, particularly in the Tuggeranong Valley, wood smoke pollution can become a problem.

"This survey is an important way the Government can become better informed about what incentives can be provided to encourage people to take up cleaner heating methods.

"It is also a good way of gauging what the community thinks about the issue and what impacts wood smoke may be having on them specifically."

The Government called for tenders to conduct the survey this week, and set a closing date of Tuesday, 17 August.

The information gathered from the survey will also help determine the key messages for the awareness campaign.

The Government has several programs to help counter this problem, including the Don't Burn Tonight campaign, which every winter encourages residents with wood fires not to use them on certain nights, and the wood heater replacement program.

"The Government will provide further details of the survey process and awareness campaign in coming months," Mr Corbell said.

Media Contact:

Patrick Cronan 6205 0401 0432 758 224 patrick.cronan@act.gov.au