Northern Tablelands MP pushes back against comments on relation between child mortality and wood fire emissions

Cr Robinson drew correlation between the findings of the 2018 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report and the region not meeting national air quality standards during council’s meeting in April. 

The AIH report found Armidale region had the highest child mortality rate from 2011 to 2015 in NSW, with 26 deaths. 

More reading:

But Mr Marshall said the comments made by Cr Robinson were “irresponsible”.

“I’m quite alarmed by those comments. I know she is very passionate about air quality in the region and I completely respect that … but to try and draw some bow between that passion and that issue, and child mortality rates is absolutely disgraceful,” he said.

"There is no evidence in the report that links child mortality rates within that five year period to anything to do with air quality and wood smoke.

“If you look at the figures on a state-wide basis, you could argue the opposite because the next highest child mortality areas are Bourke and Cobar that don’t use wood heaters often. 

“There’s no direct correlation and if it were to do with air quality, there would be a trend. We would’ve expected to see Armidale in the previous three reports.

“This is the first time we have been listed in the top five of this report which would indicate this is a spike, not a trend.”

The AIHW report outlined the causes of death for Armidale which included 73 per cent died of natural causes. 3.9 per cent were SIDS and 23.1 per cent were external factors. 

Mr Marshall said the deputy mayor should apologise to the families of the children who have died..

“I’m upset on behalf of the families that have tragically lost children in the five year period that are now being associated with this issue of air quality when plainly there is no evidence in the report to support that assertion,” he said.

“I think Cr Robinson needs to think very seriously about correcting the record and apologising [to the families].

“All those deaths can’t be attributed to just Armidale. The Armidale statistical area covers 23,500 square kilmetres and includes communities like Glen Innes, Uralla, Walcha and Guyra. 

“I think in the next report that area should be renamed because it falsely gives the impression all the deaths are occurring in Armidale when they are actually spread out across the statistical area. “

But Cr Robinson hit back saying: “I stand by my comments that woodsmoke is linked to ill-health, as exemplified by the Growing up in New Zealand study showing that even one wood stove per hectare had a significant impact on the health of children under three.

“That's why the Greens called for a task force to investigate all possible causes of our high child mortality rates. 

“The report did not consider air pollution, so couldn't possibly find a correlation. Mr Marshall has known for some years of the advice of the NSW Chief Medical Officer that wood heaters are so detrimental to health [that] she supports banning and phasing them out in built-up urban areas. 

“Despite this, Mr Marshall has been unable find any funds to help address our poor wintertime air quality.”