Public health information during bushfires will receive a $4.7 million shot in the arm, with the Palaszczuk Government upgrading and expanding its network of air quality monitoring stations throughout Queensland.
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said with the 2021 bushfire season around the corner, the government had completed upgrades to monitoring stations on the Sunshine Coast, Deception Bay, North Maclean, Flinders View (Ipswich) and Mutdapilly, and would look to establish additional sensors in a further 50 community locations.
The announcement comes after the recent Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements relating to air quality information and public health advice during bushfires.
“The 2019 bushfire season saw thousands of Queenslanders, especially those with respiratory conditions like asthma, rely on real-time information provided by our air quality monitoring network to keep safe,” Minister Scanlon said.
“Air quality monitoring plays an important role in our firefighting efforts, alongside our $858 million investment in the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service and ongoing recruitment of 357 new firefighters – key pillars of our economic recovery plan for Queensland.
“While the system has proven effective in helping our community, we know can always do more, which is why we’ve upgraded our network to include monitoring of fines particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres [PM2.5].”
People with heart or lung conditions can often experience symptoms like wheezing, coughing and chest tightness when PM2.5 levels are high.
“Most Queenslanders will know a family member or friend who might suffer from respiratory issues, and information like this is crucial to making sure those friends and family can take appropriate action when air quality might be impacted,” Minister Scanlon said.
Minister Scanlon said the rollout of the 50 additional sensors would continue through to 2023.
“We have already installed PM2.5 monitors at five existing DES air quality monitoring stations in SEQ and are adding a PM2.5 monitor at DES’s existing Mount Isa air quality monitoring station later this month.
“There will additionally be seven new PM2.5 monitoring stations in population centres without any current air monitoring.
To access real-time readings of air quality information visit: https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/air-quality/
