Sydney fails again on air quality: public transport key

"High ozone levels in Sydney, revealed yet again in this latest report by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, are a significant health risk for respiratory illnesses, particularly for adults and children with asthma," Ms Rhiannon said.

"This government lacks a collective imagination when it comes to developing policy solutions for how to get Sydneysiders out of their cars and onto public transport.

"It is unfair that residents living in Sydney's outer rim are at greatest risk of health problems as a result of living in ozone 'hotspots'.

"The Department of Environment and Climate Change has long been aware that vehicle use is climbing and that climate change will mean warmer temperatures and yet higher ozone levels.

"The quest to clean up Sydney's air is met with ongoing resistance from key government agencies like the RTA.

"The NSW government struggles to develop strategies to reduce vehicle use and related emissions, which is the key to addressing air quality and climate change and coping with looming oil shortages.

"Medical experts have proven that reducing car use decreases ozone and related health impacts.

"Scientists are also increasingly concerned about the impacts of ultra fine particles on human health.

"The problem is that in NSW air monitoring technology and guidelines aren't sufficiently up to scratch to enable adequate reporting on what's being dubbed the 'new asbestos'.

"In 2006 a NSW Upper House inquiry into air pollution in the Sydney basin made numerous recommendations to clean up the air we breathe.

"Sydneysiders are now bearing the brunt of the failure of this government to act upon this advice," Ms Rhiannon said.

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