Woodsmoke Reduction Program

What is the Program about ?

The Woodsmoke Reduction Program is about making the air clearer and, more importantly, healthier for residents to breathe. Excessive amounts of woodsmoke have health impacts  as it contains a range of pollutants (including some which are carcinogenic) which can be harmful to your health.

The Woodsmoke Reduction Program aims to reduce winter air pollution from woodsmoke and to help residents get the most out of their heating, while protecting the environment and their health.

The program is about reducing wood smoke not about banning heaters or removing heaters that comply with AS/NZS 4013:2004. Woodheaters are a great form of home heating when used correctly. If used incorrectly they can produce excessive amounts of wood smoke. One of the main aims of the program is to provide education and assistance to homeowners to ensure they are using their heaters as efficiently as possible, and therefore minimising the amounts of woodsmoke they produce.

The Program has 3 components:

1. Cash Incentives for replacement of old wood heaters with cleaner alternatives, Cash incentives were available under the 2003 program for eligible Tumut Shire residents who wished to replace their old type of wood heater or open fireplace with a cleaner type of heating which meets the current Australian Standard for emissions (AS4013:1999). Please note the cash incentives are no longer available.
2. Education on the correct use of woodheaters to minimise the amount of woodsmoke produced. Tumut and Wagga Council collaborated in the production of the Woodsmoke and Health leaflet which was distributed to approximately 140,000 homes. Council’s officers also provided advice on the correct maintenance of wood heaters to ensure they are operating at their optimum. 

3. Enforcement where excessive levels of woodsmoke are constantly being emitted.

The Woodsmoke Reduction Program in Tumut Shire was only funded for 2003 and cash incentives are no longer available. However Tumut Shire Council  encourages residents to actively reduce woodsmoke to protect the environment and their health.
Download the Woodsmoke and Health leaflet (665Kb pdf)


How can I reduce Woodsmoke?

Smoke from wood heaters is a major cause of air pollution in winter. Not only is a smoking fire wasting money, but the air pollution it causes can also affect our health. You can minimise air pollution by:

• Always burning small logs of aged, dry hardwood – unseasoned wood has more moisture which makes a heater smoke.
• Storing wood under cover in a dry ventilated area; freshly cut wood needs to be stored for 8-12 months.
• Never burning rubbish, driftwood or treated or painted wood, which can pollute the air and can be poisonous.
• Using plenty of dry kindling to establish a good fire quickly when lighting a cold fire.
• Stacking wood loosely in your firebox so air can circulate – don’t cram the firebox full.
• Keeping the flame lively and bright; your fire should only smoke for a few minutes when you first light it and when you add extra fuel.
• Opening the air controls fully for 5 minutes before and 15-20 minutes after reloading.
• Not letting your heater smoulder overnight – keep enough air in the fire to maintain a flame.
• Checking your chimney regularly – if there is smoke coming from the chimney, increase the air supply to your fire.
• Cleaning the chimney every year to prevent creosote build up.

Creosote is a sticky black residue that can build up in your chimney—it restricts air flow and makes your fire harder to start. A creosote-clogged chimney can spill smoke into your room when you open the heater, and even catch fire, putting your home at risk.

For more information on Woodsmoke visit: 


• Department of Conservation (DEC) website at www.epa.nsw.gov.au/woodsmoke/index.htm
• Environment Australia at www.environment.gov.au/woodsmoke.html
   

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