Response to the Green Party’s vehicle survey media release.

Wednesday 14 February 2007

By Auckland Regional Council Chairman Michael Lee.

“We are puzzled by the point the Green Party are trying to make. What they have overlooked is that in Auckland we have a real problem caused by diesel vehicles.”

The Auckland Regional Council, has by choice, gone for petrol and petrol-electric hybrid vehicles.

“What the Greens appear to be talking about is only the carbon emissions from petrol and ignoring the human health impacts of diesels.

“There is another factor - the ARC has deliberately chosen to extend the life of its vehicle fleet, one to reduce the rate burden, and also because we are aware that to make a new motor vehicle has an enormous impact on the environment and resources.

Therefore the Greens should take all of these factors into consideration for what is a very complex issue.”

Because the ARC has chosen deliberately to opt for petrol and petrol hybrids rather than diesels we are undertaking a significant re-vegetation program that is putting us on the path to being carbon neutral.

“ARC planted 75,000 native plants last year on regional parks. We also have a wide range of programmes in partnership with communities, landowners and farmers for example planting 30,000 native trees through 50 schools in the Trees for Survival programme as well as providing funding and practical help for volunteer groups through our Environmental Initiatives Fund, riparian planting programmes and eco-care programmes.

“This is a case at people pointing the finger at each other and claiming to be “greener than thou”. The ARC considers that there is a whole range of environmental impacts to deal with, not just one.”

Additional comments from ARC Air Quality Scientist Dr Gerda Kuschel.

Air quality in the urban area of Auckland currently breaches acceptable levels required under the Air Quality National Environmental Standards in relation to fine particulate (PM10), with the key sources of emissions in the region being motor vehicles (51%), domestic fires (41%), and industry (8%).

“In the transport sector, 91% of the fine particulate (PM10) emissions come from diesel vehicles and these vehicles currently produce up to 50 times more PM10 than an equivalent petrol vehicle.”

Petrol and diesel vehicles will not have equivalent emissions standard for PM10 until the new proposed Euro 5 standards (due September 2009). From that point on the ARC will be able to purchase climate friendly diesel vehicles that will not result in an adverse air quality outcome.

PM10 are tiny particles suspended in the air, less than 10 microns in diameter, that are invisible to the human eye. These particles can affect health, especially in asthmatics and people with heart and lung disease. The ARC estimates that PM10 pollution causes nearly 400 premature deaths in the Auckland region every year with associated health costs estimated at $1.3 billion.

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