“…State legislation has banned backyard burning on all properties less than 2000 square meters in area.”
EPA and councils differ on smoke regulations for blocks over 2000 square meters in size:
LGAT – Air Quality Policy
Back yard burning on a block over 2000 square meters.
This burn took place on the July 14 2012.
There had been recent rains and rather than smoke people out and ruin their health I am sure this burner could have loaded the waste on a trailer and taken it to the green waste station 10 minutes away.
“For blocks larger than 2000 square meters with NO OTHER option than burning the waste….”
“Where burning off is absolutely necessary on permitted block sizes, it is important to note that this activity should only be undertaken when it will not interfere unreasonably with another person’s enjoyment of the environment….”
On the other hand…
Kingsborough Council needs to be congratulated on its approach to outdoor burning on blocks greater than 2000 square metres.
They have enacted a Health and Environmental By-law 3 of 2011
Open air burning:
In accordance with the Health and Environmental Services By-law 3 of 2011, the use of open air fires and/or incinerators is not permitted on any premises:
having an area of less than 2000 square metres; or within or partly within a residential zone (as defined under the Kingborough Planning Scheme 2000).
unless that fire is for cooking food, heating liquids or for warmth.
The incinerator or open air fire must be positioned:
no less than 5 metres from any boundary of the property; and
no less than 30 metres from any dwelling not on the property; and
clear of any overhanging foliage or other combustible material.
Where the use of an incinerator is permitted, the incinerator must be maintained in good order and fitted with a lid and spark arrester to prevent ash or other particles from escaping.
A person must not burn materials in an open air fire or incinerator that causes a nuisance, is unsafe, or is dangerous to health.
Residents should also be aware that on days of total fire bans, the use of open air fires and incinerators are not permitted for any purpose.
Some people are considerate and take their green waste to the tip for mulching.
This amount of green going to the tip would have saved all that pernicious smoke in the above picture.
Less smoke means cleaner air!
“Wood heater smoke contains fine particles and toxic chemicals including cancer causing compounds.
Any material floating about in the air can be breathed into our bodies. While some of the particles are exhaled, a fraction is retained and these can have adverse impacts on our health.
Most at risk are the young, the elderly or those people who sufferer from bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and other lung or heart diseases.
There is also evidence that fine particle matter can lead to premature deaths.
Especially at risk are elderly people who suffer from chronic respiratory problems.
Everybody has a responsibility to help keep our air clean. If you can see or smell smoke then you are causing a problem for yourself, your family and your neighbours.”
Even if you are healthy you can still be negatively affected by wood smoke causing you to feel lethargic and generally unwell.
– WA Department of Environment and Conservation
Domestic Smoke Management Program
“Burn Brighter this Winter”
Under the first phase of the Domestic Smoke Management Program, officers from the EPA Division of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment are collaborating with local councils to reduce domestic wood smoke in two focus areas in Launceston and Hobart.
The Burn Brighter Project is focussed on ways to improve domestic wood heater use in specific areas. Persistent poor air quality from a neighbouring house is not something that has to be tolerated.
The EPA claims smoke from a poorly operated wood heater can be reduced by as much as 80 percent by following a few simple steps – http://epa.tas.gov.au/epa/burn-brighter-this-winter-2013
Tasmanian Women in Agriculture
November 5 2013
“The EPA is interested in discussing air quality issues with the West Tamar Council and the potential for implementing a Burn Brighter this Winter Project in the West Tamar municipality in the future.”
Red Hot Tips
Planned Burning on Private Land Field Day
Speakers will include Leanne Sherriff (Macquarie Franklin), Jon Marsden-Smedley, Sandra Whight (State Fire Management Council), Steve Lowe (TFS), John Atkinson (Maitland) and other farmers involved in the pilot project.
The field day will be followed by a BBQ lunch.
WHEN: 8 November 2013, 10.15am – 1pm
WHERE: Campbell Town Hall, 75 High St, Campbell Town
(next door to Campbell Town Fire Station)
Dade county man burned to death in field officials say smoke inhalation to blame.