The State Government needs to do much more to reduce the amount of trips Sydneysiders are making in their cars to curb a growing trend in the number of days in which photochemical smog, or ozone, are above the acceptable limit, the State’s peak environment group said today.
The number of exceedences of ozone levels doubled from 2005/06 to 2006/07 according to the latest annual report by the National Environment Protection Council, indicating the NSW Government is failing to reach its target under its Action for Air program.
“The State Government has set targets to bring photochemical smog, or ozone, under control because it recognises the adverse health impacts of high levels. The fact that it is failing to reach these targets on an increasing number of days means they need to be trying harder to reduce car use,” said Cate Faehrmann, executive director of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
“Western Sydney is once again bearing the brunt of the State Government’s penchant for spending on motorways over public transport and this will only increase with plans for housing developments.
