Apart from the unpleasant smells and haze that results, there are more sinister side effects on health. Fine particles are inhaled into our bodies - some are breathed out again but an amount remains lodged within out lungs. People with medical conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema and asthma experience more severe symptoms as a result. In an effort to combat the problem, the City of Melville's Health Services have teamed up with AlintaGas to look at ways of improving the situation. The result is a special programme that offers incentives to householders to replace existing wood heaters and replace them with gas appliances.
Natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel - it provides heat without smoke.
It is also a reliable and economically viable heat alternative to burning wood. The programme is due to be launched in April. For more information on the programme please contact the City of Melville's Health Services on Telephone 9364 0622.