Feedback sought on wood heater usage

Published on 25 March 2026

The City of Launceston is seeking community feedback about wood heater usage in the municipality as it works towards developing a domestic wood smoke plan.

Launceston and the broader Tamar Valley have long faced challenges with poor air quality during the winter months, which can impact people’s health.

Inefficient use of wood heaters has been identified as a significant contributor. While many households rely on wood heating for warmth and affordability, inefficient wood heater use contributes to higher levels of air pollution across the city.

To better understand wood heater usage in the municipality, the Council has opened consultation on its online engagement platform tomorrowtogetherlaunceston.com.au.

The survey asks residents about the primary form of heating in their homes, whether they've been impacted by poor air quality as a result of wood heater usage, what might incentivise them to move to more environmentally friendly forms of heating and whether they would see value in real-time air quality information for the city.

City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said the consultation would help inform a dedicated wood smoke plan for the city.

"This evidence-based strategy will guide actions to reduce the impacts of wood smoke and will examine options like the roll-out of real-time air quality information for the city, new public awareness campaigns aimed at improving the efficiency of wood heater usage across the municipality," Mayor Garwood said.

"Everyone’s perspective matters – so whether you use a wood heater or not, or simply care about cleaner air for Launceston, we'd love people to take a few moments to complete the quick online survey."

Feedback is now open at tomorrowtogetherlaunceston.com.au and will close on Sunday, April 12.