Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the need to ban the use of wood heaters and fire pits in ALL residential areas.

We all have the basic human right to be able to breath clean air. Governments are talking about climate change, renewable energy, electric vehicles etc, but for some reason people burning wood in residential areas have been exempted. Young children, the elderly, anyone with Asthma, other respiratory disorders, heart and lung disease goes through hell with smoke wafting through their homes. People can't hang out washing, open windows and doors and are forced to use air-conditioning or stay somewhere else during the winter months. For the selfish pleasure of a few people at one residence, life is made a misery and a serious health risk or hundreds of surrounding residents. This smoke contains fine (PM2.5) and coarse particles, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including benzo(a)pyrene and is also a fire and burn hazard for children, adults and pets.

In Brisbane smoke complaints are the responsibility of the Brisbane City Council under Environmental Protection Act 1994 which requires completing an "Environmental Nuisance Diary" which generally leads to no action being taken and at best, an information sheet sent to the offender and the smoke continues, and in some cases increases.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all in its power to ban the use of wood heaters and fire pits in residential areas.