[Greens-Media] FW: Greens call for health check on road proposals

[Walker, Nadine]

Greens call for health check on road proposals
Media statement, Wednesday, 27 November 2013. 

Any proposal to increase heavy traffic or trucking in urban areas should be subject to a health impact assessment, says Greens Health spokesperson Lynn MacLaren MLC.

"There is ample evidence that diesel emissions and traffic noise can impact the health of people living and working near busy roads", she said. 

Ms MacLaren noted a recent article in the West that linked high air pollution levels to cardiac rest. 
"This is a health hazard that I have brought up in the past, diesel particulates in the air don't just give you an irritating cough, they can be the reason behind a heart attack". 

Current proposals for road widening of Leach Highway have sparked community concerns about health, especially for young children.

Recent reports suggest that WA's capital is set to swell in population far more than initially expected, Ms MacLaren pointed out that unless drastic action is taken increased pollution could have serious effects. 
 
"The Perth population is now set to nearly double by 2040, the Greens WA have a Metro-Wide Light Rail proposal that will reduce transport emissions and discourage people from creating more congestion and pollution. 
 
"Clean air is a basic requirement for health and well-being that the Barnett Government is denying Western Australians when they fail to pro-actively reduce emissions. The World Health Organisation has identified air pollution as a significant threat to health across the globe; an estimated 2 million people die every year from urban air pollution". 
 
Read about the Greens Perth Light Rail Proposal here: http://greenswa.net.au/perth-light-rail.html 

For comment: Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC
Mobile 0403 721 951

Media liaison: Nadine Walker
Mobile 0449 189 195

Office of Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC, Member for South Metropolitan Region
Legislative Council, Parliament of Western Australia
Unit 7, 142 South Terrace, Fremantle, Western Australia 6160
Tel 08 9430 7233
Nadine.Walker at mp.wa.gov.au   www.LynnMacLaren.org.au