ANTI-mining campaigners have welcomed the “long overdue” air monitoring network in the Namoi region.
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Environment minister Gabrielle Upton announced at the NSW Clean Air Summit late last week that a new air monitoring network in the Namoi region is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.
It’s bittersweet news for Lock the Gate Alliance, who fear the measure won’t go far enough to ensuring air quality.
“It’s long overdue,” NSW coordinator George Woods said.
“We were promised this some five years ago.
“Obviously it’s not going to ensure quality air, so we need the government to hold mining companies account (when it’s breached).”
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will work with the coal-mining industry in the region to establish the North-West Air Quality Monitoring Network, integrating the existing industry monitors with the new Office of Environment and Heritage-operated monitoring stations.
Idemitsu Australia Resources, owner of Boggabri Coal Mine and Whitehaven Coal, welcomed the new measure.
The company said it looked forward to working closely with the NSW government on the development and implementation of a real-time air quality monitoring network in the Namoi region.
Dan Yates, Group Manager for Health, Safety and Environment for Idemitsu Australia, said the company supports the government initiative and looks forward to working with regulators, regional councils, the local community and other important stakeholders to ensure: the network is based on sound scientific principles; the network is underpinned by an agreed funding and cost-sharing model; and monitoring results are made available to the public in an accurate and easy- to-understand format.
“Consistent with our values, Idemitsu takes its environmental obligations very seriously,” Mr Yates said.
Kirsten Gollogly, General Manager for Health, Safety, Environment and Community for Whitehaven Coal, said the company had a strong track record of working closely with the government and the EPA on air quality issues.
“We know this is an issue that’s important to the local community so it’s critical that industry and government work closely together to get it right,” Ms Gollogly said.
