A message for our members
Over the past 2 months there has been much activity in our industry ranging from the NSW Clean Air Strategy submission, the Victorian Inquiry into the Health Impacts of Air Pollution submission, through to various media, both print and radio.
Our AHHA executives have been regularly speaking with print media and on radio about issues impacting our industry specifically in New South Wales and Western Australia.
In August an ABC online media report was released titled ‘Health experts call for reform as data suggests woodfired heaters are responsible for more premature deaths than thought’. This generated a great deal of discussion which allowed our team to respond to the information claimed in the article. The response by executives to media requests was swift, providing factual information through radio interviews and print media.
In response to our NSW Clean Air Strategy submission, the Hon. Matthew Keen NSW Environment Minister wrote ‘The Government recognises the commitment of the Australian Home Heating Association and its members to invest in innovation to develop better emissions and efficiency standards for wood heaters. It is commendable that industry also understands the need to achieve improved air quality outcomes and better consumer education.’ Our engagement with governments will continue.
We became aware of a council resolution of the Nedlands City Council in WA to commence an advisory period aimed at banning the use of indoor wood heating.
We have been connecting with members in the affected areas, advocating our position through social media and our executives have been doing radio interviews in support of our WA members and our industry more broadly. We have recently secured an external advocate to represent our position and our voice, locally.
We will continue to connect with local governments in WA and we will be contacting the WA Environment Minister to seek a meeting. We think it is important we provide honest and factual information to consumers, stakeholders and government.
In Victoria we were asked to attend the public hearing into the parliamentary enquiry the health impacts of air pollution in Victoria. Our executives provide factual information in support of our industry to ensure our voice is heard.
As we have more updates we will connect with you.
If you have any issues of concern, please contact us so we can assist.
