To: The Queensland Government, Minister for Housing, and the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)

We, the undersigned, call on the Queensland Government to make it mandatory for all Class 2 buildings (units and apartments) to have exhaust fans in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries.

Currently, many apartment residents in Queensland are forced to rely on opening windows for ventilation while cooking or showering. This is not a safe or practical solution, especially for those of us with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions. The lack of proper ventilation puts us at constant risk of smoke inhalation, mould exposure, and severe health complications.

Our Reality:

• Many of us, including myself, suffer from asthma and severe allergies. Cooking smoke often triggers breathing difficulties, wheezing, and asthma attacks because there are no exhaust fans to remove pollutants from the air.
  
  
•  Without mechanical ventilation, the only option is to open windows while cooking or showering—but in wet and humid weather, this leads to damp indoor conditions, mould growth, and an increased risk of respiratory illnesses.
  
  
• After Cyclone Alfred, our carpets, furniture, and walls became damp due to heavy rain being let in through open windows. Now, mould is spreading in homes, worsening allergies, triggering asthma, and increasing the likelihood of serious infections. 
  
  
• Children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions are at even greater risk due to the long-term effects of mould and poor air quality. 
  
  
• The National Construction Code (NCC) acknowledges the importance of ventilation, but Queensland does not currently mandate exhaust fans in Class 2 buildings. This leaves thousands of apartment residents suffering in unhealthy living conditions.

We Demand Change. We urge the Queensland Government to:

• Make exhaust fans mandatory in all Class 2 buildings (units and apartments) for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries.
• Ensure that new buildings meet proper ventilation standards and that existing apartments can be retrofitted with mechanical ventilation.
• Protect the health of Queenslanders by reducing exposure to smoke, damp conditions, and mould, all of which increase the risk of respiratory illnesses.

Proper ventilation is not a luxury - it is a basic necessity for safe and healthy living. No one should have to choose between breathing in smoke or filling their home with damp air and mould.

Please sign this petition to help us bring this urgent issue to the attention of policymakers and demand action for healthier homes across Queensland.