Funnelling the fumes

Did you know that Transurban is responsible for managing the air quality from the ventilation stack on Grant St?

As the operator of the Domain Tunnel, which passes underneath Southbank’s arts and low-rise precinct, Transurban sensors monitor the levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter within both the Domain and Burnley tunnels.

In response to concerns raised by some local residents about the potential health impacts on the community from the ventilation stack, Transurban’s results, which it publishes quarterly on its website, suggest there is no reason to fear.

According to its records, emission levels from the Grant St air stack consistently are around 10 to 15 per cent of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) maximum allowable discharge. The company says that the frequency of its air quality reporting also exceeds requirements.

With the recent approval of high-rise towers at 135 and 153 Sturt St, some locals have raised concerns that future residents might be impacted by being within a closer proximity to the stack.

However, the EPA’s acting chief environmental scientist Leon Metzeling also put these concerns to rest.

“The ‘safe distance’ is assessed with an in-depth study, often involving modelling and taking account the configuration of buildings,” he said. “The assessment is made on the most conservative basis possible, to ensure that the risk of anyone being affected is acceptably low.”

“Balconies on 135 Sturt St are not expected to be exposed to any air pollution levels in excess of health guidelines and standards as a result of the vent stack emissions.”

Despite satisfying the EPA’s regulations, the developer of 135 Sturt was required to submit a plume study and effect of the exhaust stack on its development as a condition of its planning approval.