CANBERRANS who replace their wood-fire heaters with ducted gas systems will be rewarded with $800 rebates while those who choose flued gas heaters to replace their wood heaters are eligible for $600 rebates.

The wood heater replacement program is a partnership between the ACT Government and ActewAGL and has encouraged the replacement of over 1000 wood heaters with cleaner heating alternatives since its launch in 2004.

Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development Simon Corbell said today that despite this positive trend, Canberra still  a particle pollution problem in winter due to emissions from home wood heaters.

“Fine particulate matter in smoke can be very damaging and is is detrimental to our health and our air quality,” Mr Corbell said.

“The ACT’s air quality is among the best in the country, with wood smoke levels steadily declining as a result of programs such as the Wood Heater Replacement program. Despite this we continue to have a winter particle pollution problem due to emissions from wood heaters, particularly in Tuggeranong Valley.

The offer runs from March 1 until the end of the year.

For more information, or to apply for the rebate, go to actsmart.act.gov.au or call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.