Narrabri Shire Council has acted on concerns about possible impacts on air quality as open cut coal mining expands in the shire.
Today’s committee meeting tabled a recommendation that the council seek the establishment of a regional air quality monitoring network.
The move follows adoption of a resolution proposed by Cr Bevan O’Regan at the July 2 council meeting that the monitoring be established because of concerns of possible health issues from coal dust.
This was explored over the past two weeks and a staff recommendation now suggests the council “urgently commence dialogue with other interested parties to establish the regional air quality monitoring network.”
There were
concerns about possible cumulative impacts on air quality as open
coal mining operations increase in the region including “nuisance” dust.
The council staff recommendation said the gathering of baseline data from an air monitoring system would reveal any trends in coal dust pollution and inform any government regulatory compliance criteria.
“There are concerns regarding the cumulative impact of mining on air quality given the increasing intensity of coal mining and associated coal processing and transport by road and rail in the region,” a staff report said
“A Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network would allow real time air monitoring data to be available to councils and communities.
“This would provide transparency and build trust between the community and coal mining companies.”
The staff report said that if a system was adopted for this region similar to one in the Hunter Valley, coal companies would be required to contribute an annual levy for the operating costs and the construction
costs.
“Currently in the Namoi region, mines are being approved on a standalone basis with no thorough cumulative impact assessment modelling of existing, approved and proposed mining projects in the region,” the report to council said.
“There is no coordination or oversight of current air quality monitoring stations or independent assessment of data quality or equipment calibration.
“Community complaints have been received regarding dust and loss of amenity.”
An air quality monitoring system would provide quality data to research organisations, for example determination of the origin of coal dust.
The system would provide data to coal mining companies which could assist in improving their operations and dust emission controls.
“The installation of a well designed monitoring network would identify the issues as well as give some assurances to the community,” the council staff report said.
“Due to similar community health concerns in the Upper Hunter Valley, an air monitoring network has been installed and has been operational and providing real time data to the public since 2010.
“It is independently operated by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).”