Published Thursday, 17 May, 2007 at 02:19 PM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
EPA COMMITS TO LONG-TERM AIR MONITORING FOR TOWNSVILLE
A strategic long term air quality monitoring program will be established in Townsville to assess any impacts from urban and industrial growth in the region, Environment Minister Lindy Nelson–Carr said today.
Ms Nelson-Carr said she continued to be concerned about reports from residents about dust and would ensure the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) kept a close watch on the situation.
“The EPA will be establishing an ambient air quality monitoring program to ensure levels of common airborne pollutants, including dust, are within acceptable standards,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“It is encouraging that investigations already undertaken by the EPA into concerns raised by residents in Yarrawonga and North Ward found that dust levels were well within acceptable standards and did not appear to pose any health risks.
“The EPA has collected a considerable amount of information on Yarrawonga and North Ward and will now take a broader look at air quality in Townsville.
“The first step in this process is to review current monitoring data and then to identify the most appropriate sites in Townsville to undertake this monitoring.
“Information from the community will be used to assist in identifying appropriate monitoring sites. Anyone with specific concerns is asked to contact the EPA to assist in identifying a select number of strategic dust monitoring points.
“As substantial urban and industrial growth continues in the Townsville region, the health of residents is our highest priority and it is vital that air quality is thoroughly reviewed and monitored.”
“The review and implementation of the long term air monitoring program will take some time to implement however results from the new program will be made available to the public via the EPA’s North Queensland monthly air quality bulletin and website.”
The EPA monitoring network in Townsville has stations at Pimlico, Townsville Port and Stuart. Monitoring results for these stations can be viewed on the EPA website at www.epa.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Lisa Gilby 3336 8002 or Karla Steen 3336 8004
Ms Nelson-Carr said she continued to be concerned about reports from residents about dust and would ensure the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) kept a close watch on the situation.
“The EPA will be establishing an ambient air quality monitoring program to ensure levels of common airborne pollutants, including dust, are within acceptable standards,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“It is encouraging that investigations already undertaken by the EPA into concerns raised by residents in Yarrawonga and North Ward found that dust levels were well within acceptable standards and did not appear to pose any health risks.
“The EPA has collected a considerable amount of information on Yarrawonga and North Ward and will now take a broader look at air quality in Townsville.
“The first step in this process is to review current monitoring data and then to identify the most appropriate sites in Townsville to undertake this monitoring.
“Information from the community will be used to assist in identifying appropriate monitoring sites. Anyone with specific concerns is asked to contact the EPA to assist in identifying a select number of strategic dust monitoring points.
“As substantial urban and industrial growth continues in the Townsville region, the health of residents is our highest priority and it is vital that air quality is thoroughly reviewed and monitored.”
“The review and implementation of the long term air monitoring program will take some time to implement however results from the new program will be made available to the public via the EPA’s North Queensland monthly air quality bulletin and website.”
The EPA monitoring network in Townsville has stations at Pimlico, Townsville Port and Stuart. Monitoring results for these stations can be viewed on the EPA website at www.epa.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Lisa Gilby 3336 8002 or Karla Steen 3336 8004