Less than 3 per cent of Canberra households burn wood for domestic heating (ABS). Yet Federal and ACT government air pollution measurements show wood burning is responsible for more than two thirds of Canberra’s fine particle air pollution while cars are responsible for about 10 per cent. The ACT Government has pointed to the health impacts of wood smoke and to the Tuggeranong Valley as a wood smoke pollution hot spot. That is why every year it runs the wood heater replacement program in association with ActewAGL. The program aims to reduce winter air pollution from wood smoke and protect public health by offering financial incentives to replace an old wood heater with a new mains supplied natural gas heater. Rebates are available all year. For more information and to apply for the program visit ACT Smart.
