An inquiry has been launched into the health impacts of air pollution on Victorians according to the Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh.
He said exposure to common air pollutants can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, lead to premature death and cost the Victorian economy hundreds of millions of dollars per year.
“If you stop and think about it, as a society we are surrounded by pollutants; from vehicle transport, electricity generation and heavy industry to bushfires and dust storms – and they all contribute to poor air quality,” Mr Walsh said.
“What the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee is looking to find is to best determine what can be done to minimise the impacts from these pollutants,” he said.
“The committee is keen to hear from people with information or suggestions they want us to consider,” he added.
Specifically; the committee will seek to:
- Identify statewide practical, real-time, cost-effective mitigation strategies
- Determine how they ensure Victorian air quality tracks to meeting or exceeding current international best practice standards and is enforced
- Determine the impact of economic and population growth on air pollution and health outcomes
- Strengthen commitments across all Victorian Government portfolios to reduce air pollution and minimise the impact on the health of the Victorian population and environment.
Submissions are due by Friday, April 2, with public hearings to be held in May and June.
For submission details, go to www.parliament.vic.gov.au/epc-lc/article/4448
