The NSW Environment Protection Authority has updated the methods industry must use to model and assess air pollution, introducing stronger thresholds and specific guidance on dust from sites such as mines and quarries.
The Approved Methods for the Modelling and Assessment of Air Pollutants are used by industry and councils to assess the air quality impacts of sites including mines, power stations, landfills and other industrial activities. They have been revised following a scientific review and public consultation led by the EPA earlier this year.
EPA Executive Director of Regulatory Practice and Services Emma Whale said the methods now reflect the latest science and health-based evidence.
“The updated Methods bring in clear triggers for when additional controls are needed to reduce pollutants, while simplifying assessment pathways for low-risk sites,” Ms Whale said.
Industry will also be encouraged to use site-specific data to model the impact of their facilities more accurately. Ms Whale said this would provide a better understanding of local conditions and inform measures for managing dust, odour and other air pollutants. She said the new methods also respond to community concerns by providing guidance on fugitive dust from mines and quarries and clearer requirements for dust control.
