PRESS STATEMENT MOTOR VEHIICLE AIR POLLUTION JOJU
( Statement by Ministers)
State and Commonwealth Transport Ministers meeting in
Port Moresby as the Australian Transport Advisory Council today
( July 10) discussed the establishment of' standards to control
motor vehicle exhaust pollution in Australia,
The Council directed its Standing Committee of Advisers
to discuss with the automotive and petroleum industries the
introduction of' U. S. standards on exhaust emissions. The
Committee hopes to arrange a meeting with industry early in
September. It will report back as a matter of urgency to ATAC at
its next meeting in about six months.
The report will cover:
* Recommended uniform exhaust control standards;
* Approved devices to be fitted to motor vehicles
to reduce exhaust emissions;
oRecommended date of application of the standards.
Ministers studied a comprehensive dossier covering
air pollution from all modes of transport prepared by South
Australian officials at the request of Council.
The Queensland Minister, Mr W. Knox, suggested maximum
permissible levels for chemical emissions from motor vehicle
exhausts which his Government is considering implementing.
Ministers were anxious to obtain the best achievable
emission control standards so as to effectively combat the
public health problem of air pollution.
2.
It is estimated that the various transport modes
mainly the motor vehicle can under certain circumstances and
in some Australian cities contribute about 64 per cent of
atmospheric pollution in Australia.
The Standing Committee of Advisers would also discuss
with the petroleum industry developments in reducing the
contaminants in motor fuels,
Following a previous decision of ATAC, all States have
taken action to require manufacturers to fit devices to new
motor vehicles designed to prevent the discharge of crankcase
gases into the atmosphere.
PORT MORESBY, ToP. N. G.
CANBERRA, A. C. T. 10 JULY 1970