Maribyrnong council is calling for public comments on proposed actions to reduce air quality issues in the region.
The council is encouraging residents to fill out a questionnaire and provide comments on the draft Air Quality Improvement Plan.
The draft plan outlined a number of potential actions council can take, including:
Introducing a comprehensive air quality monitoring network;
Developing an air quality map to identify pollution hotspots;
Implementing strategies to prevent people from keeping their vehicles idling outside schools and hospitals;
Limiting the installation of wood heaters in new developments; and
Fast tracking the transition of the council’s vehicle fleet to electric vehicles.
Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said the council is aiming to take more action to ensure air quality will improve in the future.
“Our residents are exposed to consistently poor air quality levels compared to other suburban areas of Melbourne, and that’s not OK,” he said.
“Our community should reasonably expect the air they breathe will not adversely affect their wellbeing.”
The council is also lobbying the state and federal governments for a ban on diesel trucks, excluding delivery vehicles, from residential streets and a ban on all diesel and petrol vehicle sales by 2030.
Maribyrnong council is planning on incorporating the feedback received during June before endorsing the plan for implementation in August.
Cr Tran said all comments on air quality from Maribyrnong residents are welcome.
“While there are things residents can do individually to help improve air quality, we want to also do what we can to ensure the kinds of environmental changes that will make a real difference, both in terms of what we can influence government to do and what we can implement ourselves,” he said.
“I encourage you to make your views known.”
Submissions close at 5pm on Sunday, May 29.
Details: www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au/AirQuality
