NSW Councils receive $272,000 to clear the air

The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) has provided $272,000 in funding for 11 local councils to run education projects that encourage people to take action and improve local air quality.

The local projects, funded under the Let's Clear the Air initiative, ran across the Greater Metropolitan Region and regional NSW.

The programs addressed air quality issues ranging from reducing wood smoke pollution, to training in enviro driving practices and encouraged commuters to use sustainable transport. They directly benefit their local communities and demonstrate to other councils across the state the different ways they can motivate their communities to act locally to improve air quality.

Council projects funded under the grant include:

Council projects funded under the grant include:

Air is one of our most important resources yet few of us understand the contribution we make as individuals to air pollution.

More than half of the car trips taken in Australia each year are estimated to be less then five kilometres. For every 50,000 2.5 km trips an additional 184 kilograms of smog forming pollutants is pumped into the air.

Woodsmoke contributes over 40 per cent of winter air particle pollution in coastal metropolitan areas and an even higher amount in tableland towns.

By simply reducing our dependence on these pollutant-forming activities we can all make a difference to our overall air quality.

The NSW Government has progressively reduced air pollution through strong regulation over the past 30 years and initiatives as part of the Government's 25 year plan for cleaner air, Action for Air.

All councils can access and use the free Let's clear the air resources to raise awareness and encourage action to improve air quality.

Let's clear the air is a Clean Air Healthy Communities initiative funded by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.

Improving Air Quality to meet the national air quality goals set out in the National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality (ANEPM) is one of the targets under the NSW Government State Plan.

Air is one of our most important resources yet few of us understand the contribution we make as individuals to air pollution.

More than half of the car trips taken in Australia each year are estimated to be less then five kilometres. For every 50,000 2.5 km trips an additional 184 kilograms of smog forming pollutants is pumped into the air.

Woodsmoke contributes over 40 per cent of winter air particle pollution in coastal metropolitan areas and an even higher amount in tableland towns.

By simply reducing our dependence on these pollutant-forming activities we can all make a difference to our overall air quality.

The NSW Government has progressively reduced air pollution through strong regulation over the past 30 years and initiatives as part of the Government's 25 year plan for cleaner air, Action for Air.

All councils can access and use the free Let's clear the air resources to raise awareness and encourage action to improve air quality.

Let's clear the air is a Clean Air Healthy Communities initiative funded by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.

Improving Air Quality to meet the national air quality goals set out in the National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality (ANEPM) is one of the targets under the NSW Government State Plan.

Projects and councils funded under this program:

Projects and councils funded under this program:

April - December 2010

The project focussed on domestic energy and wood smoke and aimed to educate Armidale residents about how they can change their practices to improve air quality.

The project adapted OEH's Let's Clear the Air message for education about wood smoke. Resources will be available for use by other councils.

Partners: University of New England, New England Schools and TAFE.

April - December 2010

The project focussed on domestic energy and wood smoke and aimed to educate Armidale residents about how they can change their practices to improve air quality.

The project adapted OEH's Let's Clear the Air message for education about wood smoke. Resources will be available for use by other councils.

Partners: University of New England, New England Schools and TAFE.

April 2010 - March 2011

Gosford and Wyong councils implement a local air quality campaign to raise awareness of the value of enviro driving in the region. An education program was developed for fleet drivers from both councils to motivate them to practice fuel efficient driving, car maintenance and trip planning.

This education program was trialed with all Gosford and Wyong Councils' fleet drivers over a one year period. After this one year trial period, the program will be reviewed and a template developed such that it can easily be adopted by other business fleet units.

The ultimate aim of the program is to create a resource to help business fleets to develop their own ECO-nomic driving program, through the sharing of information gained through the program.

Find out more

Partners: Local businesses with vehicle fleets.

April 2010 - March 2011

Gosford and Wyong councils implement a local air quality campaign to raise awareness of the value of enviro driving in the region. An education program was developed for fleet drivers from both councils to motivate them to practice fuel efficient driving, car maintenance and trip planning.

This education program was trialed with all Gosford and Wyong Councils' fleet drivers over a one year period. After this one year trial period, the program will be reviewed and a template developed such that it can easily be adopted by other business fleet units.

The ultimate aim of the program is to create a resource to help business fleets to develop their own ECO-nomic driving program, through the sharing of information gained through the program.

Find out more

Partners: Local businesses with vehicle fleets.

The project aimed to increase awareness about air quality using the Let's Clear the Air resources by promoting activities such as active transportation, reducing woodsmoke, driving smarter and reducing idle times.

Project activities included educating local school children, constructing a council web page, developing a Griffith bike map and holding a smart commute day.

Partners: Griffith City Council involved members of the Environment and Sustainability Advisory Committee which consists of representatives from the community, NSW Rural Fire Services, NSW Department of primary Industries, Murrumbidgee Irragtion, Councillors and council staff 

The project aimed to increase awareness about air quality using the Let's Clear the Air resources by promoting activities such as active transportation, reducing woodsmoke, driving smarter and reducing idle times.

Project activities included educating local school children, constructing a council web page, developing a Griffith bike map and holding a smart commute day.

Partners: Griffith City Council involved members of the Environment and Sustainability Advisory Committee which consists of representatives from the community, NSW Rural Fire Services, NSW Department of primary Industries, Murrumbidgee Irragtion, Councillors and council staff 

The project aimed to encourage tourists to use local walking and cycling paths instead of using their car for short trips. 

This was achieved through an education program using updated walking and cycleway maps that link cycleways to other transport nodes and places of interest.  A Summer Holiday Tourist Sustainability Education program supported this.

Partners: Council worked with Tourism Kiama, Council Holiday Parks, local clubs, Illawara Bicycle Users Group, Illawara Active Transport taskforce, the Roads and Traffic Authority, Shellharbour Council, and the Cycleways and Walking Tracks Committee.

The project aimed to encourage tourists to use local walking and cycling paths instead of using their car for short trips. 

This was achieved through an education program using updated walking and cycleway maps that link cycleways to other transport nodes and places of interest.  A Summer Holiday Tourist Sustainability Education program supported this.

Partners: Council worked with Tourism Kiama, Council Holiday Parks, local clubs, Illawara Bicycle Users Group, Illawara Active Transport taskforce, the Roads and Traffic Authority, Shellharbour Council, and the Cycleways and Walking Tracks Committee.

July - December 2010

The Lake Macquarie City project raised awareness of how to reduce car usage for short trips by capitalising on existing active transport infrastructure and networks for car sharing.

The project worked with the local community to identify locations for new cycling infrastructure and increase cycling skills. It also assisted local schools to develop 'Walking and Cycling School Buses'.

Find out more

Partners: Sustainable Neighbourhood groups and schools.

July - December 2010

The Lake Macquarie City project raised awareness of how to reduce car usage for short trips by capitalising on existing active transport infrastructure and networks for car sharing.

The project worked with the local community to identify locations for new cycling infrastructure and increase cycling skills. It also assisted local schools to develop 'Walking and Cycling School Buses'.

Find out more

Partners: Sustainable Neighbourhood groups and schools.

May 2010 – April 2011

Under the Let's Clear the Air branding, Maitland Council promoted the health and environmental benefits of cycling and promoted the cycleway infrastructure that exists throughout the Maitland Local Government area.

Partners: Bicycle retailers, Maitland Visitor Information Centre, schools.

May 2010 – April 2011

Under the Let's Clear the Air branding, Maitland Council promoted the health and environmental benefits of cycling and promoted the cycleway infrastructure that exists throughout the Maitland Local Government area.

Partners: Bicycle retailers, Maitland Visitor Information Centre, schools.

Spring 2010

Parramatta City Council held a commuter challenge from Monday 21 September to Friday 15 October 2010. This event targeted commuters who regularly commute individually by car to the Parramatta Local Government Association.

Commuters were challenged to use sustainable transport for four weeks. Participants logged their progress and blogged their experiences on the challenge website. Prizes were awarded at the end of the challenge.

Partner: Bicycle NSW

Spring 2010

Parramatta City Council held a commuter challenge from Monday 21 September to Friday 15 October 2010. This event targeted commuters who regularly commute individually by car to the Parramatta Local Government Association.

Commuters were challenged to use sustainable transport for four weeks. Participants logged their progress and blogged their experiences on the challenge website. Prizes were awarded at the end of the challenge.

Partner: Bicycle NSW

The project aimed to increase the use of cycleways within the local government area and link with neighbouring cycleways in Kiama and Wollongong. 

Shared use pathways, and path safety and etiquette were promoted in brochures, via signage and on the council website. The resources linked with Shellharbour Tourism and were promoted to local businesses, schools and events such as the annual Illawarra Ride to Work Week.

Partners: Council worked with the Illawarra Bicycle Users Group, Illawarra Active Transport Taskforce, Kiama Municpal Council and Wollongong City Council.

The project aimed to increase the use of cycleways within the local government area and link with neighbouring cycleways in Kiama and Wollongong. 

Shared use pathways, and path safety and etiquette were promoted in brochures, via signage and on the council website. The resources linked with Shellharbour Tourism and were promoted to local businesses, schools and events such as the annual Illawarra Ride to Work Week.

Partners: Council worked with the Illawarra Bicycle Users Group, Illawarra Active Transport Taskforce, Kiama Municpal Council and Wollongong City Council.

The program helped raise awareness in the community of activities that negatively impact on air quality including open burning, Woodsmoke, agricultural activities, vehicle emissions, dust and bushfires. 

The program educated the community about alternative methods of disposing of greenwatse, rubbish, home heating, transport options and environmentally friendly ways of conducting day to day activities.

Partners: Council engaged with the Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Service, the Asthma Foundation, EH Graham Centre and the Community Environmental Advisory Committee.

The program helped raise awareness in the community of activities that negatively impact on air quality including open burning, Woodsmoke, agricultural activities, vehicle emissions, dust and bushfires. 

The program educated the community about alternative methods of disposing of greenwatse, rubbish, home heating, transport options and environmentally friendly ways of conducting day to day activities.

Partners: Council engaged with the Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Service, the Asthma Foundation, EH Graham Centre and the Community Environmental Advisory Committee.

August 2010 – January 2011

The Willoughby personal travel planning pilot aimed to target travel behaviour change amongst local residents in order to reduce single trips by private vehicle and increase the uptake of sustainable transport modes.

Interested households were provided with personalised information and rewards in exchange for completing travel surveys or diaries and making a commitment to a change in travel behaviour.

Partner: Bike North, local bicycle retailers and GoGet car share.

August 2010 – January 2011

The Willoughby personal travel planning pilot aimed to target travel behaviour change amongst local residents in order to reduce single trips by private vehicle and increase the uptake of sustainable transport modes.

Interested households were provided with personalised information and rewards in exchange for completing travel surveys or diaries and making a commitment to a change in travel behaviour.

Partner: Bike North, local bicycle retailers and GoGet car share.

The Bicycle Plan aimed to increase the number of people riding to work and general use of cycle paths.

This was achieved by updating the local Bike Plan and cycleway maps, mapping links to and from cycle ways to other transport nodes and places of interest, improving signage and advertising the cycleways.

Partners: Council worked with Illawarra Bicycle Users Group, Illawarra Active Transport Taskforce, the Roads and Traffic Authority, Shellharbour City Council and Kiama Municpal Councl.

The Bicycle Plan aimed to increase the number of people riding to work and general use of cycle paths.

This was achieved by updating the local Bike Plan and cycleway maps, mapping links to and from cycle ways to other transport nodes and places of interest, improving signage and advertising the cycleways.

Partners: Council worked with Illawarra Bicycle Users Group, Illawarra Active Transport Taskforce, the Roads and Traffic Authority, Shellharbour City Council and Kiama Municpal Councl.