The NSW Environment Protection Authority is being given the job of regulating exhaust emissions all existing and new motorway tunnels in the state.
In addition, the state’s Chief Health Officer will release a statement on the potential health impacts of emissions from proposed new tunnels following a scientific review.
The state government announced the “stronger protections” in response to community protests.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Environment Gabrielle Upton and Roads Minister Melinda Pavey claimed the measures would give the public confidence emissions were being assessed and operated within acceptable limits.
Under the changes, ventilation outlets of all current and future tunnels will be regulated by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
“The EPA will require tunnel operators to meet air quality limits and undertake air quality monitoring, where practicable,” the government said.
“For new motorway tunnels that have not progressed to the environmental impact statement stage, additional checks will be required prior to planning determination”
Extra checks will include:
- The Advisory Committee on Tunnel Air Quality (ACTAQ) will coordinate a scientific review of a project’s air emissions from ventilation outlets;
- The NSW Chief Health Officer will release a statement on the potential health impacts of emissions from tunnel ventilation outlets; and
- The Minister for Planning will not approve a motorway tunnel project until the ACTAQ scientific review is considered.
The Coalition government established the Advisory Committee on Tunnel and Air Quality to provide advice on tunnel ventilation design and operation.
Ms Upton said, as a result of that move, tunnels were subject to detailed environmental assessment and monitoring to ensure their ventilation outlets are built and operated to have a negligible impact on air quality.
“But, we understand there are still community concerns and that is why we have moved to make these changes which build on our strong record of protecting the community and the environment.”
Mrs Pavey said: “We are investing record amounts on road infrastructure and the changes being announced today will ensure we do so with the full confidence of the community.
“These new measures will apply to all current and future motorway tunnels that have ventilation facilities,” she said.
