Government LPG incentive plan a boost to cleaner Perth air

20/10/00
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes welcomed the State Government's liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicle incentive scheme as a significant boost to caring for the environment.
Mrs Edwardes said the scheme, announced by Premier Richard Court today, would make an important contribution to the reduction of Greenhouse gas emissions and the State Government was leading by example through the conversion of part of the Government car fleet.
"Dual-use petrol and LPG vehicles reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by up to 20 per cent compared to equivalent petrol fuelled vehicles," she said.
"LPG is a simple hydrocarbon compound that burns more cleanly than petrol and produces fewer emissions of air toxins like the carcinogen benzene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.
"LPG-dedicated vehicles are far better for the environment and produce effectively no evaporative emissions.
"If 1,000 passenger vehicles were converted to LPG every year, this would result in a saving of about 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide and about 10 tonnes of smog forming emissions.
"Encouraging Western Australians to convert to LPG or buy dedicated LPG vehicles will form an important plank in the State Government's air quality management plans."
The LPG incentive plan comes on the heels of January's Cleaner Fuel Regulations, which made WA the first State to remove lead from petrol.
Traditional leaded fuel has been replaced with unleaded fuel containing a special additive allowing vehicles that currently use leaded fuel to run as usual.
"These regulations are a significant step in cutting the amount of air pollution from motor vehicles," Mrs Edwardes said.
"Combined with other programs like TravelSmart to encourage people to use alternative transport - car pooling, walking, public transport or cycling - the Cycling 100 program, improvements in the public transport system, including low-emission diesel powered buses, and public education, the Government is moving to reduce emissions and control Perth's haze problem."
Public submissions on the draft Perth Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) closed in August and are now being assessed.
The plan will fulfil the State Government's 1996 election promise to develop a plan to improve the quality of Perth's air.
The AQMP is a pro-active rather than reactive plan providing a broad vision for managing Perth's air quality and identifying actions Government, industry and the community can take to reduce emissions and improve Perth's air.
A final draft is due for release after public submissions have been incorporated into the plan.
Mrs Edwardes said reducing the emissions of cars on the road would make an overall positive impact on Perth's air quality.
"We are leading the rest of Australia in terms of having the cleanest fuels," she said.
"That minimises the health effects and reduces the pressure we place on the environment that manifests itself in smog problems."
Media contact: Steve Manchee on 9421 7777