On 26 July 2018, the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Minister for Roads and Road Safety announced the establishment of the Inner West Air Quality Community Reference Group. This group will give community members the opportunity to provide community insight and input to future improvements for air quality in the inner west.
The reference group, with representatives from the community, local councils and community groups, will provide an opportunity for community members to better understand their local air quality, sources of pollution and propose areas of focus and solutions for Government consideration.
If you would like us to keep you up to date regarding the Inner West Air Quality Community Reference Group, please email Inner.WestAir@delwp.vic.gov.au.
Membership
The members of the Inner West Air Quality Community Reference Group are:
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Patsy Toop OAM | Chairperson |
| Adam Fletcher | Community member representative |
| Alexandra Damasoliotis | Community member representative |
| Bert Boere | Community member representative |
| Chris Dunlevy | Don't Destroy Millers Roads representative |
| Christine Harris | Spotswood & South Kingsville Residents Group representative |
| Clare Sheppard | Community member representative |
| Geoffrey Mitchelmore OAM | Community member representative |
| Ian Butterworth | Hobsons Bay City Council representative |
| Keith Loveridge | Maribyrnong City Council representative |
| Kristen Gilbert | Brimbank City Council representative |
| Louise Keramaris | Community member representative |
| Narelle Wilson | Maribyrnong Truck Action Group |
| Valerie Dripps | Community member representative |
Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference for the Inner West Air Quality Community Reference Group were finalised by the membership at their first meeting on 10 December 2018.
You can view the Terms of Reference and members' Code of Conduct below.
Terms of Reference - Inner West Air Quality Community Reference Group (PDF, 147.1 KB)
Meetings
Meeting 1: 10 December 2018
This meeting focused on clarifying of the purpose and scope of the group, identifying members' key issues of concern in relation to air quality, and finalising the Terms of Reference.
Meeting 2: 25 February 2019
This meeting focused on providing members with a shared baseline understanding of air quality impacts and information. Dr Andrea Hinwood, EPA's Chief Environmental Scientist, gave a presentation to that effect. The second half of the meeting was used to plan the forward agenda for Inner West Air Quality Community Reference Group for the remainder of its term.
Meeting 3: 18 March 2019
This meeting focused on diesel emissions. Clare Walter, PhD student and honorary research fellow with the Lung Health Research Centre, presented on the health impacts of diesel particulates. Greg Cain, from the Victorian Transport Association (VTA), gave a presentation on VTA initiatives in the inner west, and Malcolm Brown, from Volvo, presented technical information on diesel truck engines.
Meeting 4: 29 April 2019
This meeting focused on the regulation of industry in the inner west of Melbourne. Presentations were given by the Environment Protection Authority CEO, Dr Cathy Wilkinson, Executive Director, Tim Eaton, and Regional Manager, Daniel Hunt.
Meeting 5: 13 May 2019
This meeting focused on the Air Quality Strategy currently being developed by DELWP, with guest speakers Kyle Garland and Katherine Evans. The meeting also had considerable discussion of the methodology for writing the final report.
Meeting 6: 3 June 2019
This meeting focused on planning the final report of the CRG. The group looked at a draft table of contents, timelines, and an approval process for drafted chapters.
Meeting 7: 24 June 2019
This meeting focused on the West Gate Tunnel Project. A panel with a variety of experts joined the group to answer questions relating to tunnel filtration. The panel included:
- Dr Lyn Denison (Principal Consultant, ERM)
- Dr Bruce Dawson (Principal Environmental Consultant, Golders Associates)
- A/Prof Louis Irving (Respiratory Physician, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre)
- Dr Paul Torre (Senior Applied Scientist, EPA)
- Tim Faragher (Director, EPA)
Meeting 8: 15 July 2019
This meeting focused on dust in the inner west. A panel with a variety of experts joined the group to answer questions relating to sources of, and mitigation methods for, dust emissions. The panel included:
- Michael Beale (Occupational Hygienist, envirosapHe)
- Dr Paul Torre (Senior Applied Scientist, EPA)
- Jeremy Settle (Regional Manager Metropolitan Area, EPA)
Meeting 9: 5 August 2019
This meeting focused on development of the group's report to government. Members also identified further experts they would like to inform their work.
Meeting 10: 26 August 2019
This meeting focused on industry in the inner west as a source of air pollution. Members also development of the CRG's report to the Victorian Government and planning how to communicate their findings.
Meeting 11: 16 September 2019
This meeting focused on the planning system and development of the CRG's report.
Meeting 12: 7 October 2019
This meeting focused on development of the CRG's report.
Meeting 13: 28 October 2019 (scheduled)
This meeting will focus on development of the CRG's report.
Minutes will be available 10 working days following the date of the meeting.
Page last updated: 15/10/19