The Greens secured a phase-out date of 2045 when in government, but they say there’s been little action since then. Photo: Natalia Kokhanova.
The ACT’s Environment Minister has stressed the government has only agreed “in principle” to phasing out wood heaters by 2045 during a fiery debate at the Legislative Assembly.
ACT Greens Brindabella MLA Laura Nuttall brought a motion calling for (among other things) the government to publish the AECOM air quality study and 2024 air quality report, establish a wood heater register, investigate the cost of wood heater smoke on the health system, and publish a final plan of the phase out by 1 July 2026.
“There are huge community health issues stemming from wood fire smoke, and the government knows this, but right now has no tangible plan to address it,” she said.
“The Greens secured a phase-out date of 2045 when in government, but now Labor is doing nothing to work with the community and progress the issue.
“It is very clear that this is an issue that requires broad community consultation to draw a clear pathway forward. We need a clear plan on how the phase out will happen that doesn’t kick the can down the road any longer.”
Environment Minister Suzanne Orr moved several amendments, deleting all the “calls on”, to be replaced by a call for the government to continue its “approach of balancing environmental, health and community feedback and equity”.
The amendments also noted the government had agreed in-principle to establish a target date for the replacement of wood heaters, and that it would continue to analyse the options, costs and timeframes of the transition.
“This work is underway and continues,” Ms Orr said.
She said it wasn’t appropriate to publish the AECOM air quality study and the 2024 air quality report, as they will inform future policy on reform.
“It is essentially material that is before Cabinet and the government may decide to release [them] in the future,” Ms Orr said.
Opposition Leader Leanne Castley reiterated the Canberra Liberals’ stance that it is firmly against banning wood heaters.
Both Ms Orr’s amended motion, and then the original motion from Ms Nuttall, were voted down.
However, Ms Orr’s comments have made those who want wood heaters banned nervous that the policy may not happen at all.
ACT Conservation Council executive director Simon Copeland accused Ms Orr of downplaying the “polluting impacts” of wood heaters and said her amendments were a backtracking of the phase-out commitment.
“The government’s vote … shows they have no interest in removing this dirty, old technology from our city,” he said.
“The government has chosen to continue polluting our environment and inflicting harm on thousands of Canberrans.”
Ms Nuttall was left fuming.
“Labor chose to side with the Liberals and turn a blind eye [to Canberrans suffering due to wood heater smoke], instead channelling their inner Lord Farquaad with a message for Canberrans not dissimilar to the Shrek line, ‘Some of you may die, but that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make’,” she said.
“Canberrans want support to switch to clean electric heating, but instead of helping households make the transition, Labor has literally ripped the money out of the budget.
“The minister isn’t just turning a blind eye, she’s scrapping the work altogether.”
