New Diesel Emissions Testing and Training Facility Launched
30 November 2006
A new diesel emissions testing and training facility was today jointly launched at Kangan Batman TAFE's Coburg campus by CEO Ray Griffiths and EPA Chair Mick Bourke.
One of its kind in Victoria, this facility is to be funded from the $25 million allocated for such projects under the Australian Government's Measures for a Better Environment program. It is part of Kangan Batman TAFE's $810 000 contract with the EPA to develop diesel fuel exhaust emissions testing facilities.
'Kangan Batman TAFE is the largest trainer of automotive apprentices in Victoria, and this facility will teach them about the environmental effects of diesel emissions,' said Ray Griffiths.
With global warming now clearly on the national agenda, this vehicle emissions testing facility is good news for the environment.
Motor vehicles are responsible for most of Melbourne's air pollution, including particle pollution which is a problem because of adverse health effects and its tendency to form smog. Diesel-fuelled vehicles contribute significantly higher levels of fine particle pollution, relative to other vehicles.
EPA Chairman, Mick Bourke said, that compared to similar urban centres internationally, Melbourne's air quality is relatively good.
'However there's still much that can be done to improve our air, including reducing diesel exhaust emissions. This fantastic facility is one way we are achieving this goal,' he said.
The facility will give mechanics practical experience measuring and reducing exhaust emissions from diesel-fuelled vehicles through regular and correct maintenance.
Most of the funding has been used to enable the Coburg campus' truck chassis dynamometer to perform the DT80 diagnostic test. The test only takes a few minutes to identify Particulate Matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), both of which are considered health risks. The dynamometer will also be capable of testing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and unburnt hydrocarbon levels.
The testing facilities will also be used to provide training for industry as well project or research activities by external organisations.
This is one of a number of projects EPA is delivering in partnership with the Australian Government to tackle the problem of diesel exhaust emissions. Other initiatives include support for new national fuel standards and a new diesel emissions test facility for trucks and buses being built in Port Melbourne.
The Australian Government's Measures for a Better Environment program funds a range of projects which support the Diesel National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) - a measure to improve environmental quality agreed to by Australian, state and territory governments in 2001. The NEPM aims to reduce exhaust emissions from diesel vehicles by facilitating compliance with in-service emissions standards for diesel vehicles.
