Bushfire Smoke and Air Quality Strategy
Summary
The severe smoke from the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires revealed the complex health, environment, social and economic impacts of poor air quality in the ACT.
The Bushfire Smoke and Air Quality Strategy is a whole of government approach to better understand these relationships and improve our management of the impacts of smoke.
The Strategy will guide the ACT Government’s approach to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from significant bushfire smoke events and our management of the smoke from woodfire heaters.
It maps a wide range of policy areas including emergency management; regulation of environmental pollution; monitoring of air quality; public health advice, warnings and directions; work health and safety; building standards; and support for businesses and our community.
All Canberrans have an interest in the air quality in our city given the impact of poor air quality on health outcomes, and the ACT Government will work with stakeholders to shape the way this Strategy is realised.
Engagement will play a vital role in this Strategy’s success and over the next four years will involve collaboration with people who are vulnerable to the effects of poor air quality, key health stakeholders, business owners and emergency services.
The Bushfire Smoke and Air Quality Strategy will be reviewed annually to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of measures to protect ACT citizens.