Strata unit clothes drying law is greenhouse silliness

Commenting on a story on page 8 of today's Sun-Herald, Dr Kaye said: "Residents without the opportunity to hang their laundry out to dry are left with no alternative but to use electric dryers.

"While natural sunshine provides free solar power to dry clothes, the average electric-powered unit is responsible for almost a half a tonne of carbon dioxide each year.

"Bad state laws are forcing residents who want to do the right thing by the environment to use energy hungry dryers.

"Threatening people who want to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with a year in jail is senseless.

"The Greens are calling on Fair Trading Minister Linda Burney to amened the owners' corporations model codes to remove the prohibition of publicly visible clothes drying. A review is a waste of time. She should get on with it.

"It is time to get over being prissy about the site the washing hang out on a balcony.

"People wear clothes and they need to be washed and dried.

"Forcing unit residents to use energy-guzzling electric driers when there is plenty of sunshine is bad greenhouse policy and poor economics.

"We are also calling on planning Minister Frank Sartor to amend the model Local Environment Plan to ensure that all new multi-unit developments provide residents with clothes lines.

"As more people live in units and townhouses, it is important to get this right.

"This is not about banning clothes dryers. It is about providing climate friendly solar-powered options for households that want to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions," Dr Kaye said.

For more information:    John Kaye 0407 195 455