Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2009C00402:body:0:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2009C00402
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 5706–8961

to section 14(1)(g), 14(2)(a) and 14(2)(b) of the Commonwealth Act and the equivalent provisions of corresponding Acts in participating States and Territories.

Preamble

5 Preamble

 This Measure forms part of an integrated suite of approaches being implemented by participating jurisdictions to manage emissions from diesel vehicles.  Four broad approaches are available to manage vehicle emissions.  These are to

           * specify emissions standards for new vehicles (vehicles which are not yet in use) and have manufacturers meet them;

           * provide appropriate clean fuels;

           * specify emission standards for in-service vehicles and improve the emissions performance of in-service vehicles to bring them into compliance with these standards;  and

           * reduce vehicle use and encourage efficient driving behaviour.

 It is the purpose of this Measure to provide a framework for the management of in-service emissions from diesel vehicles that complements and protects the emissions improvements obtained from existing regimes.  New vehicle emission standards and fuel quality standards are specified in Commonwealth legislation.  Strategies to reduce vehicle use are beyond the scope of this Measure.

Diesel Vehicle Emissions Policy Framework

6 Strategic context for the management of emissions from diesel vehicles

 Diesel vehicles make a disproportionately high contribution to NOx and particle air pollution from the transport sector.  The diesel vehicle proportion of the transport fleet is increasing and this trend is expected to continue.  Emissions from diesel vehicles have the potential to cause adverse health effects and detract from urban amenity.

 The National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure 1998 provides national air quality standards for six criteria pollutants.  The criteria pollutants include PM10 and nitrogen dioxide, of which diesel vehicles are a significant emission source.

 Jurisdictions should assess the need for the management of emissions from in-service diesel vehicles as a strategic option for:

           * reducing the exposure of the community to criteria pollutants, smoke and any other negative impacts associated with emissions from diesel road vehicles; and

           * achieving the goal of the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure.

7 Principles for the management of emissions from diesel vehicles

 Vehicle operators, both owners and drivers, have responsibilities that come with approval to use the road network. They must ensure that their vehicles continue to meet all applicable standards.

 Governments, as regulators of on-road vehicles, need to have compliance programs in place that can ensure that operators are meeting these responsibilities.  To ensure equivalent protection for the community, compliance systems should implement and achieve nationally consistent standards.

 Community expectations and the impact of non-compliance need to be taken into account when assessing the adequacy of current levels of compliance.

8 Guidelines for developing compliance programs

 Schedule A of this Measure contains Guidelines to assist jurisdictions to develop programs for reducing emissions