Air Quality and Meteorological Monitoring Gaining Ground for Approvals

Written by Plistina Almeida and Simon Welchman

 

Approvals and environmental licenses now routinely include conditions requiring periodic or ongoing air quality and meteorological monitoring.  Air quality is commonly a key factor when it comes to the go-ahead of large developments in Australia.

 

Typically, air quality impact assessment studies are used to assess proposed developments where they have a potential to cause adverse impacts. Such studies must determine the risks posed by routine operations as well as worst-case or upset scenarios and so that potential for adverse impacts is appropriately mitigated. Whilst a desktop study may demonstrate a low risk of adverse impacts, regulators and the community increasingly see measurement of emissions and ambient air quality as “proof” that a development is meeting the commitments made by a proponent.

 

Other potential triggers for air quality monitoring include complaints, media exposure, periodic audits or regulatory action such as Notices or Environmental Protection Orders (EPO).

 

Katestone has supported several companies achieve and demonstrate compliance with approval and licence conditions through tailored monitoring programs. Katestone’s proactive approach delivers some key advantages for both the regulators and the clients:

• It starts with the development of a robust monitoring plan that meets regulatory requirements and includes processes for ongoing review and revision, where necessary
• It provides full visibility of concentrations of air pollutants tailored to the activity
• Katestone delivers tailored monthly reports that includes high quality analysis/interpretation that gives invaluable insights into your compliance status
• Data provides actionable insights before nuisance is caused
• The monitoring program produces auditable information to respond to regulatory enquiries.

 

How can Katestone help you?

Our team has long-term expertise in developing air quality monitoring programs around Australia. Katestone has conducted several recent monitoring studies that supported approvals and maintained compliance with environmental licences.

 

Apart from having significantly contributed to the development of air quality management policies and legislation throughout Australia, our team is up to date with regulators’ expectations when it comes to the scope required for this work.

 

Contact us today for Clear Skies.

 

This article featured in the Katestone’s Clear Skies 2021 Winter edition. Click here to view other featured articles.