A community group is appealing to State Environment Minister Matt Kean to reconsider his decision against extending the Lithgow Blue Mountains Air Watch Project.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The EPA established 11 KOALAs (Knowing Our Ambient Local Air Quality) and one POD in May 2019 for a period of 12 months.
Secretary of the Blue Mountains Union and Community, Debra Smith, said community participants were instrumental in identifying suitable locations for the KOALAs in Lithgow, Katoomba, Wentworth Falls and Springwood.
"They included siting KOALAs in eight local schools, three in Lithgow, three in Katoomba and two in Springwood," she said.
"The near real time data produced has been used in schools in their science and geography lessons.
"There has also been a tremendous response across our community accessing the air quality website to check on the most basic of human needs the quality of air we breathe."
A letter was sent to the minister on Thursday, January 23 which was endorsed by the Blue Mountains Conservation Society, Lithgow Environment Group, Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill and Lithgow mayor Ray Thompson along with representatives of the Blue Mountains Teachers Association, Health Services Union and the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association.
So far the group hasn't received any response from the Minister.
"We believe with climate change this catastrophic fire season is not a one off event and that air monitors should provide the community with a valuable tool for assessing conditions in future," Ms Smith said.
"Outside of fire seasons air quality monitors are a useful tool for tourists - showing mountain air is superior to that in the crowded city but until we're able to measure a year without fires we don't know what is "normal".
"We are calling on the minister to meet local community representatives to hear why we believe KOALAs are a sensible investment for all residents and tourists inside and outside of fire seasons.
"In this way we'd joining similar air monitoring on the Central Coast and Hunter Valley".