Air quality and dust monitoring in Namoi Valley considered in NSW-wide clear air plan: Environmental Minister Mark Speakman

The community has raised concerns about the accuracy of the four stations monitoring the air quality around the region’s mines.

The stations are run by mining companies Whitehaven Coal and Idemitsu, however there are calls for the government to take over.

Mr Speakman said the Clean Air for NSW plan will look at air monitoring across NSW.

“Looking at what is happening in the Namoi Valley will be part of that,” Mr Speakman said.

“What is there at the moment is the interim solution.

“We’re looking at what we might do in the future as part of a state-wide strategy.”

Mr Speakman told The Leader one option was to replicate the system in the Hunter Valley, where the EPA monitors air pollution around the area’s mines.

“Again, we have to approach that on a state wide basis, work out where our greatest priorities are, then consider what, if anything, further we do in the Namoi Valley,” he said. The plan should be finalised next year.