Minister Welcomes Reference Groups’ Input to Air Monitoring Project

Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said today he was pleased with progress being made in the “Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone” project.

Mr McNamara said this week’s joint community and industry reference groups meeting to consider the proposed locations of air monitoring stations in and around Gladstone was an important step forward in the process.

“The “Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone” project will measure known pollutants that impact on the health and well being of the people of Gladstone,” he said.

“The project is progressing well, and with community and industry input we hope to decide on the location of the air monitoring stations soon,” Mr McNamara said.

Scientific staff from the Environmental Protection Agency presented options for the locations of one mobile and six fixed air monitoring stations in the Gladstone area to the joint reference groups meeting.

“These locations will now be considered by the joint reference groups,” Mr McNamara said.

“Feedback from community and industry groups is essential as it will ensure that local knowledge contributes to the stations being located in a position where they will provide the best data on air quality in Gladstone.”

Members of both reference groups have been asked to provide further feedback to the “Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone” project ahead of the next joint reference group meeting on 6 February 2008.

Media contact:  Emma Parnell 3336 8002