Government expands Gladstone air monitoring

To give the Gladstone community greater confidence in the protection of air quality, the Queensland Government has boosted air monitoring across the region.

Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles said a mobile air monitoring unit would move across Gladstone over the next six months, adding to the region's existing air monitoring network.

“Gladstone is highly industrialised, and while the government has an intensive air quality monitoring system in place, we’re exploring an additional fixed station,” Dr Miles said.

“The mobile unit will move across Gladstone to measure ambient air quality, starting with Fisherman’s Landing in the Port of Gladstone.

“It adds to the seven air quality monitoring stations permanently fixed across Gladstone.

 “The readings will help inform government of the need for an additional permanent station.”

Dr Miles said the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection continued to keep Gladstone Regional Council and the Port of Gladstone informed about local air quality.

“We provide the public and stakeholders with easy access to current air quality information,” Dr Miles said.

Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said the State Government had strong environmental protection laws in place, and he urged businesses to do the right thing.

“The onus is on industry to control and improve air quality associated with its activities,’ Mr Butcher said.

“Strong and appropriate enforcement action will be taken by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection where non-compliance is detected.”

To date, analysis of data from the Gladstone air monitoring network has not detected any exceedances in air quality standards.

Live air quality data is available to the public and can be viewed at https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/air/data/search.php

ENDS

MEDIA: 0412 393 909