Our plan for Air

As a region, we are lucky to have a relatively low population density, which means air pollution concentrations are lower than more industrialised and urbanised areas. We also have nine air quality monitoring sites across the region that report against Australian standards set by the National Environment Protection Council. On the flipside, we are home to large scale open-cut mining operations, a major coal terminal and one of the oldest energy stations in Australia. Coupled with longer dry seasons, more extreme weather events, vehicles that have low emissions standards, and the majority of our land under agricultural production, our relatively good air quality may not be a given forever.

Chillingly, leading medical professionals are calling for improvements in Australia’s air quality standards to help reduce the rise in cardiac and respiratory health problems. This leaves our region in the position of having to decide whether to accept the status quo or do more to safeguard our airways.

Key attributeAir quality (breathability and visibility)

Goal 1 – Air quality (gaseous and particulate matter) is maintained or improved

Strategies: 

1. Support and promote industry management practices to maintain air quality within appropriate guidelines.
3. Promote and support mitigation actions including carbon sequestration and emissions reduction.

Achieving this target also benefits these assets and drivers:

 

Strategies: 

2. Monitor and communicate trends in carbon emissions.

Achieving this target also benefits these assets and drivers:

Strategies: 

33. Increase green spaces in populated areas
3. Promote and support mitigation actions including carbon sequestration and emissions reduction.

Achieving this target also benefits these assets and drivers:

On-ground Action

Gladstone Region Economic Transition Roadmap 2022-2032

Gladstone Region Economic Transition Roadmap 2022-2032

Protecting Biodiversity since ’73!: Capricorn Conservation Council

Protecting Biodiversity since ’73!: Capricorn Conservation Council

Bringing Nature back to Frenchmans Creek, Rockhampton: CQUniversity

Bringing Nature back to Frenchmans Creek, Rockhampton: CQUniversity

Fitzroy Basin Association: Australian Government Funded Projects

Fitzroy Basin Association: Australian Government Funded Projects

Mulloon Institute: NQ Dry Tropics program to enhance grazing landscape rehydration and resilience

Mulloon Institute: NQ Dry Tropics program to enhance grazing landscape rehydration and resilience