Asthma Australia has launched a new initiative aimed at reducing harmful air pollution in Armidale by encouraging residents to replace their woodfire heaters with more environmentally friendly alternatives.
The Make the Switch project, in collaboration with Armidale Regional Council (ARC) and the University of Tasmania, offers eligible homeowners a $3000 subsidy to remove their woodfire heater and install a reverse cycle air conditioner.
The initiative comes as alarming new data reveals Armidale has the worst air pollution in the country, exceeding World Health Organisation safety guidelines by more than double. With around 3000 wood heaters currently in use across the city, the area’s unique topography causes smoke to linger and settle, posing a serious health risk—particularly during the colder months.
According to Asthma Australia, domestic wood heaters are one of the largest sources of air pollution during winter in many Australian towns.
This is not a new idea. In 2001, Launceston – which used to have the worst air pollution in the country and has a similar inversion layer issue to Armidale – established several strategies to encourage the use of electric heaters instead of wood heaters, including a grant of A$500 to those switching over. Following this, wood heater prevalence fell from 66% to 30% of all households, corresponding to a 40% reduction in particulate air pollution during winter.
ARC Mayor Sam Coupland welcomed the initiative as a step in the right direction. “The Make the Switch project will help fund households in the region who want to change their heating source from a woodfire to reverse cycle,” he said. “In particular, the subsidy of $3000 will help those suffering from asthma and improve their indoor air quality and year-round temperature control.”
Asthma Australia is calling on people nationwide to reconsider woodfire heating and make the change to cleaner options in a bid to improve public health and reduce environmental impact.
To qualify for the program, applicants must reside within the Armidale region. Expressions of interest (EOI) open Monday 14 April and close 30 May.
Unfortunately, rental properties are not eligible, and as places are limited, applicants will be assessed for suitability and not all will be successful.
More information is available at ARC.
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