State actions
Various levels of government, and agencies within the same level of government, manage improvements in air quality.
For example, emission standards for vehicles and small engines are a national responsibility, while dust control during residential development is the responsibility of local councils, and emissions from a major industry are regulated by the EPA.
Planning authorities are responsible for air quality when assessing new developments, while health and fire authorities are involved in protecting public health from various sources of air pollution, such as smoke and toxic fumes.
There are ‘edges’ to agency responsibilities, and a broad, whole-of-government and societal approach is necessary to ensure issues are identified and managed.
The SA Government has comprehensive programs in place to regulate, monitor and reduce emissions to the atmosphere and to ensure all development takes air quality into account. There are also well-developed mechanisms to coordinate areas of shared interest between multiple agencies involved in protecting air quality. Key SA Government policies are:
Environment Protection Act 1993
Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016
Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016
South Australian Public Health Act 2011
Local Government Act 1999
Local councils in SA have many functions under the Local Government Act 1999, a number of which are related to the environment, for example:
- manage, develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the environment in an ecologically sustainable manner
- improve the environment’s features and attractiveness.
Local councils are often at the forefront when air quality issues arise. This is especially true when a nuisance is caused. Adelaide is a large and diverse area, comprising:
- older, established parts
- younger suburbs growing around new commercial hubs
- industrial areas with their own challenges in terms of conflict with adjoining land uses
- areas with unique blends of activities.
While some air quality issues are common to all urban areas, one size does not necessarily fit all in relation to air quality management. Many councils have been highly active in developing their own environmental strategies to address issues, which range from adaptation to climate change to increasing choices for residents’ local transport. Many of these strategies have the potential to improve air quality.
Of Adelaide’s carbon emissions, 35% comes from transport. Of this, 91% is from private vehicles with passenger cars accounting for 94% of all vehicles using City of Adelaide streets. Efforts to achieve reductions in transport emissions include:
- provide safe, convenient and comfortable streets incorporating more trees and bike lanes
- provide community engagement programs that encourage people to walk and cycle
- encourage uptake of low and zero emission vehicles
- expand the tram network
- complete electrification of the rail network.
The health benefits of large reductions in transport emissions are reason in themselves to vigorously pursue this goal. This requires incentives that encourage and support changes in travel behaviour, such as infrastructure that encourages cycling and walking, including separated bike lanes and crossings that prioritise pedestrians. It also requires measures that make it more safe and accessible to cycle and walk. The anticipated reduction in vehicle emissions, in part through transition to electric vehicles, is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as bring about major improvements in air quality, especially in urban areas.
The International Energy Agency reports that new registrations of electric cars hit a new record in 2016, with over 750,000 sales worldwide. The global electric car stock surpassed 3 million vehicles in 2017, after passing the 2 million mark in 2016, and 1 million in 2015. Australia accounted for 2,284 of global sales in 2017, which is an increase from its previous highest sales record in 2015 of 1,771 vehicles (Figure 30). The number of charging stations in Australia has also substantially increased, with one charging station for every six electric vehicles. In 2017, Australians purchased 1,076 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and 1,208 battery electric vehicles. These now make up 0.2% of the Australian market.
Figure 29: Electric vehicle sales in Australia. Source: ClimateWorks Australia
South Australians have acquired 957 electric vehicles since 2011, and SA has the highest proportion of electric vehicles sold in Australia (Figure 30).
Figure 30: Electric vehicle sales in South Australia
The City of Adelaide, in partnership with the SA Government and the private sector, promotes the leading trend in SA with its network of electric vehicle charging stations and rebates for the cost of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to property owners and tenants.
ClimateWorks Australia predicts that Australian electric vehicle uptake is likely to increase substantially as their prices become more competitive and because of the appeal of the technology. Australia’s commitment to meeting the emissions reduction targets of the Paris Agreement will also encourage faster rates of electric vehicle uptake, particulary if supported by recharge infrastructure powered by renewable electricity.
The CSIRO, in the Australian National Outlook Report 2015, projects that, by 2050, electric vehicles could account for between a tenth and one-third of road passenger transport, depending on abatement incentives and uptake rates. The report acknowledges that these projections are highly uncertain, as vehicle choices may also be influenced by shifts in attitudes and technology breakthroughs, such as new vehicle sharing models and a potential shift to driverless cars. The report notes that this transition could reverse our mounting transport fuel imports, as well as reducing costs, improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016
Codes of practice for fire management
Case study
Port Augusta power stations and Leigh Creek mine closure
The closure of the Port Augusta power stations and associated Leigh Creek mine during 2015–16 gave rise to several environmental issues. A multi-agency workgroup was established to manage the impacts and complex requirements of the closure, demolition, and remediation of the power station. This included complying with requirements of the EPA for a closure plan that address environmental issues, and assessment of site remediation measures.
In January 2017, a significant dust event occurred at the former power station’s ash dam, resulting in heightened community interest in health impacts and the EPA’s regulation of the site. The ash dam is the result of the burning of coal by the power station over several decades.
Dust from the ash dam historically supressed using a seawater sluicing system to maintain a salt crush. Following the closure of the power station, this system was no longer available. Other measures were trialled, including aerial dust suppression; while partly effective, this method did not stand up to large rainfall events, especially when these were followed by strong winds. A more permanent solution, involving capping the area with soil and replanting with native vegetation, then commenced. Until vegetation is established, some elevated dust from the site will occur.
In addition to using the data from its air monitoring stations in the region, the EPA worked with SA Health to better understand the nature of any risk to human health as a result of the dust events, set up additional air sampling devices, established a 24-hour community information service, and regularly met with the local community. The Spencer Gulf area experiences unpredictable weather conditions over summer, including high winds which stir up local and regional dust. The power stations site was only one of a number of areas contributing to regional dust, as can be seen from air quality data in neighbouring centres.
The EPA continue to keep a close watch on the operator’s remediation program and continues to engage with the community. Lessons learned from the difficulties encountered during the closure of the power stations include the importance of progressive rehabilitation ahead of closure, and the value of regulatory instruments such as financial assurances to ensure adequate provision is made for the remediation of major industrial sites once they reach end-of-life. Positive lessons learned from the site closure approach include the importance of engaging with the community, and of a coordinated government approach.