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Air
The Issue
Urban Air Quality
Air pollution can be associated with acute health
problems such as asthma. There may also be
associations between air pollution and chronic health
problems such as lung cancer, bronchitis and
cardiovascular disease. (NSW SoE 2003)
Climate Change
Changes in land use and the burning of fossil fuels
have lead to much higher releases of greenhouse
gases, most notably CO2. These higher levels are
warming the earth's surface temperature, enhancing
the natural greenhouse effect and bringing changes
to the climate. Continuing rises in greenhouse gases
are predicted to increase global warming and
extreme weather events with adverse impacts on
Australia's natural and human systems. (NSW SoE
2003)
State
Local Air Quality
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
monitors Sydney air quality twice daily and issues
health warnings when necessary. The program
includes the operation of the sampling and
monitoring network, laboratory analyses of air
samples and quality assurance to ensure the
accuracy and quality
of
the
data
collected. Air quality
is reported as the
Regional Pollution
Index (RPI) a
linear scale with
H i g h
R P I
corresponding
to
pollution levels that
exceed health or
environmental
goals.
Percentage of days where
the average Air Pollution
was LOW
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003
2003/2004
2004/2005
78%
83%
83%
81%
84%
This year there was a slight decrease in the number
days where pollutant levels exceeded health or
environmental goals compared to the previous
reporting period (Figure 6). During 200/405, the
regional air pollution index was rated as low, 84% of
the time, medium for 15% of the time and high for
1% of the time. In the past 12 months there were
relatively few incidences of bushfire (compared to
previous years) and this is reflected in the fewer
days where there was a High RPI rating.
More information about Sydney’s air pollution and
the RPI can be found on the EPA website at
www.epa.nsw.gov.au
Regional Pollution Index 2001- 2005
100%
Percentage of Days
90%
80%
70%
60%
Low
50%
Med
High
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
2000/01
2001/02
2002/03
2003/04
Year
Figure 6 Regional Pollution Index for Bankstown 2001 - 2005
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2004/05
source EPA Website
Air
Figure 8 ENHANCED GREENHOUSE EFFECT
The earth is covered by a blanket of gases which allows light
energy from the sun to reach the Earth’s surface, where it is
converted to heat energy. Most of the heat is re-radiated towards
space, but some is trapped by greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere. This is a natural effect which keeps the Earth’s
temperature at a level necessary to support life.
Human activity—particularly burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and
natural gas) and land clearing—is generating more greenhouse
gases. Scientists are convinced that this will trap more heat and
raise the Earth’s surface temperature.
Pressure
contribution to climate change.
Global Warming (the Greenhouse Effect)
Global warming is caused by an increase in
greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Australian Greenhouse Office www.greenhouse.gov.au/science/faq/page5.html
Figure 7 GREENHOUSE EFFECT
Greenhouse gases are a natural part of the
atmosphere. They trap the sun's warmth, and
maintain the Earth's surface temperature at a level
necessary to support life. The problem we now face
is that human actions—particularly burning fossil
fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and land clearing—
are increasing the concentrations of these gases that
trap more heat and change the climate. This is the
enhanced greenhouse effect.
Water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas.
Its concentration is highly variable and human
activities have little direct impact on its amount in the
atmosphere. Humans have most impact on carbon
dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Various artificial
chemicals such as halocarbons also make a small
Greenhouse gases are a natural part of the
atmosphere. They trap the sun's warmth, and
maintain the Earth's surface temperature at a level
necessary to support life. The problem we now face
is that human actions—particularly burning fossil
fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and land clearing—
are increasing the concentrations of these gases that
trap more heat and change the climate. This is the
enhanced greenhouse effect. Refer Figures 7 and 8.
Water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas.
Its concentration is highly variable and human
activities have little direct impact on its amount in the
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Air
atmosphere. Humans have most impact on carbon
dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
Concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide are
now 30% higher than in pre-industrial times and are
higher than any time in the last 420,000 years.
According to the Australian Greenhouse Office,
burning fossil fuels is the main contributor to the
continuing increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide.
More information on greenhouse gases can be
obtained from the Australian Greenhouse Office at
www.greenhouse.gov.au
continue to target emissions from wood fire heaters
during winter months.
Civic Tower Energy Project
Through the implementation of major energy
efficiency projects in the Civic Tower we have
reduced electricity use by 423,000 kilowatts p.a.
which equates to a dollar savings of $41,800 p.a.
(based on current electricity rates). This is a
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 385
tonnes p.a. which is equivalent to removing 131 cars
off our roads permanently. The projects were:
In Bankstown, the major sources of greenhouse gas
emissions are electricity, gas and fuel use (ie
burning fossil fuels).
• Installing voltage reduction units on the light
circuits in the car park
• Reducing the condenser water temperature
• Installing variable speed drives on the air
conditioning pumps and air handling units
• Installing CO sensors in the car parks to reduce
operating hours of ventilation fans.
Refer to Figure 9 for Civic Tower Energy Use.
Vehicles in Bankstown
As at June 2004 the total vehicular fleet registered in
Bankstown was 111,670 (an increase of 2,674 in 12
months). This represents 2.34% of the total NSW
vehicle fleet and ranks the Bankstown as the 7th
largest Local Government Area vehicle fleet in NSW.
Council Emissions
During 2003/04 Council activities emitted 17,487
tonnes of greenhouse gases which was a 7%
reduction from the previous year. At the time of
printing - figures for the 2004/05 period were
unavailable.
Response
Motor Vehicle Emissions
Whilst it is beyond Council’s ability to directly affect
the number of motor vehicles registered in the
Bankstown LGA, Council has been involved in a
number of positive initiatives relating to reducing our
dependence on motor vehicles, including:
• working with the Western Sydney Regional
Organisation of Councils, to lobby the NSW State
Government for appropriate public transport
infrastructure in Western Sydney
• developing urban planning initiatives
(encouraging development around public
transport nodes) which will promote the use of
public transport as a viable addition to private
vehicles
• increasing the number of 4 cylinder vehicles in
Council’s fleet and exploring options for the use
of biodiesel in Council trucks.
Additionally Council continues to respond to and
investigate reported incidences of local air pollution.
Also community education materials and promotions
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The total cost for these projects was $126,500 which
equates to a 3.0 year payback. Please note that as
the price of electricity continues to increase the
savings we will achieve will also increase.
Global Warming
Council has continued to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions through the Cities for Climate Protection
(CCP) program and Sustainable Energy
Development Authority "Energy Smart Business
Program".
Council received an $8,000 grant from the Australian
Greenhouse Office to conduct a community
greenhouse education program. This funding was
put towards the energy efficiency seminars for the
GreenHome Sustainability program, which was run
in partnership with the Australian Conservation
Foundation.
Council has achieved Milestone 5 plus of the Cities
for Climate Protection Program to reduce our
greenhouse gas emissions from Council and
Community activities. Actions include
•
Continued purchase of 10% greenpower for
street lighting
•
purchasing 50% greenpower in Council's
administration centre
•
continued to encourage the uptake of 4
cylinder vehicles in Council's fleet.
Council was declared "Highly Commended" in the
Energy & Greenhouse category of the Local
Government Excellence in the Environment Awards,
Air
Figure 9. Civic Tower Total Annual Electricity Use ($)
(Based on current rates of electricity 0.098cents/kwh)
$200,000
energy efficiency
program starts
$180,000
$160,000
Cost $
$140,000
$120,000
$100,000
$80,000
$60,000
$40,000
$20,000
$0
1999/2000
2000/01
2001/02
2002/03
2003/04
for the 2004 Greenhouse Education Program and
Light Bulb Giveaway.
www.basix.nsw.gov.au
BASIX
BASIX (Building Sustainability Index) is a web-based
assessment tool that calculates the water and
energy efficiency of new residential developments.
The NSW Government has introduced BASIX so that
new homes are designed and built to use less
potable water and produce fewer greenhouse gas
emissions compared to the average home. These
targets have been set to deliver significant and
achievable reductions in residential water use and
greenhouse gas emissions.
Future Directions
With the introduction of BASIX from July 2004 all
new single dwelling and dual occupancy
developments must be designed to use 25% less
energy than the average use of similar NSW homes.
The requirement for multi-unit residential
developments has been extended until October
2005. This target for reduced energy use and
greenhouse gas emissions will increase to 40% from
1 July 2006. Additionally BASIX will also apply to
alterations and additions in New South Wales from 1
July 2006.
More information about BASIX can be obtained form:
2004/05
As one of the NSW Government’s water and energy
savings initiatives, Council is required to produce a
draft energy saving plan by 30 September 2006
which addresses:
•
Identification of baseline energy use
•
determining opportunities to increase
efficiency
•
Developing a priority list for implementation of
savings measures
The following actions are recommended:
A1
A1
A2
A3
A4
Development and implementation of the
Energy Savings Plan for Bankstwon City
Council E4, G1,
Continue reduction of BCC Greenhouse gas
emissions E4
Continue community greenhouse reduction
programs E4, C9
Review BCC Local Air Quality Management
Plan E4
Improve Council's fleet vehicle emissions by
promoting more fuel efficient vehicles be
introduced into the fleet E4
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