Roads Amendment (Lane Cove Tunnel Filtration) Bill 2007

Bill introduced on motion by Mr Anthony Roberts.


Mr ANTHONY ROBERTS (Lane Cove) [10.28 a.m.]: I move:

That this bill be now agreed to in principle.

It is with great deal of pride that I introduce this bill on behalf of my community. The bill is long overdue. The object of the bill is to require pollution filtration equipment to be installed and maintained that will remove particulate matter and toxic gases from the air in the Lane Cove Tunnel and from the air exiting the tunnel. Clause 1 sets out the amendment. Clause 2 provides for the commencement of the proposed Act on the date of assent to the proposed Act. Clause 3 is a formal provision that gives effect to the amendment to the Roads Act 1993 set out in schedule 1. Clause 4 provides for the repeal of the proposed Act after the amendment made by the proposed Act has commenced. Once the amendment has commenced the proposed Act will be spent and section 30 of the Interpretation Act 1987 provides that the repeal of an amending Act does not affect the amendments made by that Act. Schedule 1 inserts proposed section 161A into the Roads Act 1993 to give effect to the object of the bill. The schedule states:

Insert after section 161:

161A RTA to reduce road tunnel air pollutionA RTA to reduce road tunnel air pollution

(1) Immediately after the commencement of this section, the RTA must install filtration equipment that removes particulate matter and toxic gases from air in the Lane Cove Tunnel and air exiting the tunnel.

(2) The RTA must maintain the filtration equipment after its installation.

(3) without limiting the generality of subsections (1) and (2), the RTA must, in complying with those subsections, ensure that the concentration of particulate matter leaving the Lane Cove Tunnel (through the stacks or portals) does not exceed the average daily ambient background concentration of particulate matter for that area (as determined by the relevant air quality standards), except where air quality in the area is affected by a bush fire.

(4) Any money needed to allow the RTA to exercise its functions under this section is to be provided out of money to be appropriated by Parliament or that is otherwise legally available.

Pursuant to standing orders business interrupted and set down as an order of the day for a future day.