Tamworth is a city in New South Wales, Australia located about 416 km northwest of Sydney. Monitoring and reporting air quality is important to safeguard public health.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is used in Australia to communicate daily air quality. An AQI below 100 is considered good. Tamworth generally has good AQI readings under 50. However, bushfire smoke or dust storms can temporarily increase readings.
The AQI measures five major air pollutants regulated by Environmental Law - ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Readings under 100 are satisfactory. Hazardous readings are 200 and over.
Typical AQI values for Tamworth range from 10 to 50 showing good air quality. In bushfire season, short term readings can reach hazardous levels over 200 due to smoke particles.
Compared to major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, Tamworth has better air quality with lower pollution levels. However, bushfire risks cause particulate matter increases seasonally. Proactive prescribed burning helps mitigate extreme particle pollution events.
Climate change contributing to extreme heat waves and bushfires will require increased action under Environmental Law to preserve air quality. Transitioning to renewable energy, sustainable transport, better waste management and nature restoration projects can all contribute to cleaner air. Government, business and community collaboration is key.
What is the Air Quality Index of Tamworth?
According to IQAir's real-time air quality data, the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for Tamworth is 32 as of February 10th, 2024. This AQI value indicates good overall air quality.
Does Tamworth Have Good Air Quality Compared to Other Cities?
Yes, Tamworth generally has better air quality compared to other major Australian cities. Based on historical data, Tamworth ranks amongst the cities with the lowest levels of air pollution alongside Darwin, Hobart and regional areas. In contrast, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane see higher average pollution levels.
Is Tamworth More Polluted Than Melbourne?
No, Tamworth is far less polluted than Melbourne. Over the past year, Tamworth had an average AQI of 22 indicating very healthy air, while Melbourne's average was 59 indicating air pollution problems at times. Even during the bushfire season when Tamworth may briefly reach hazardous air quality levels, the annual average remains low. For a sizable city, Melbourne suffers persistent air pollution issues exceeding environmental standards for ozone and particulates.
What are the Main Sources of Air Pollution in Tamworth?
The primary air pollutants of concern in Tamworth are particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) as well as ozone, mainly occurring due to bushfire smoke and dust. Motor vehicle emissions also contribute to particulate and nitrogen oxide levels.
Industrial facilities, mine sites, unsealed roads and hazard reduction burns add to the particulate pollution load. Tamworth's air sheds can trap pollution, especially in winter when temperature inversions occur.
As a regional centre, Tamworth sees heavy car and freight traffic which emits combustion particulates, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides - key precursors to particulate matter and ozone formation. Traffic pollution is concentrated along main thoroughfares. The NSW Environment Protection Authority estimates motor vehicles account for over half of Tamworth’s annual average particulate pollution.
Agriculture, manufacturing, mining transport and fossil fuel-based power generation occurring in the Tamworth region contribute sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions. Specific industrial point sources include the Tamworth Regional Livestock Exchange and the Manildra starch factory. Open cut coal mining also produces coal dust.
What Strategies are in Place to Improve Air Quality in Tamworth?
To address the motor vehicle related pollution, incentives for electric vehicle ownership, biofuel mandates, better emissions standards and switching buses/trucks to renewable fuels can help Tamworth lower transport emissions. For industrial sources, updated environmental licences, pollution control equipment installation and transitioning facilities to solar/wind energy instead of coal will reduce regional air pollution impacts. Other efforts focus on reducing hazard reduction smoke exposure while still mitigating bushfire risk through planned burning programs considering weather and wind conditions to minimise smoke exposure.
What is Australia Doing to Prevent Air Pollution in Tamworth?
The NSW Environment Protection Authority, Tamworth Regional Council, research bodies and community groups collaborate to monitor, understand and reduce air pollution through the NSW Action for Air initiative. National standards, state policies, education programs and local action plans guide efforts to meet air quality targets. Environmental and planning laws also regulate emissions.
Under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, industrial site licences set emission limits. Development approvals stipulate air quality impact assessments. The
NSW Air Quality Policy provides health-based standards and monitoring to safeguard communities. Tamworth Regional Council's environmental strategy also promotes emissions reductions.
How do Local Government Policies Address Air Pollution?
Tamworth Regional Council's Environmental Sustainability Strategy sets air quality goals including responding to pollution incidents, reducing council emissions by 30% by 2030, requiring electric vehicle charging stations in new developments, and continuing involvement in the regional air quality network.
How can we Reduce Air Pollution in Tamworth?
Individuals can help cut transport emissions by walking, cycling, taking public transport, maintaining vehicles, avoiding idling and purchasing cleaner cars. Workplaces should improve energy efficiency, switch to renewable power and promote clean commutes. Properly using wood heaters and avoiding open burning also reduces smoke impacts. Green buildings with controlled ventilation, air filtration and indoor plants can enhance indoor air quality.
How Has Air Pollution in Tamworth Changed Over Time?
Over the past decade, Tamworth has maintained relatively good air quality. However, smoke pollution has increased in frequency and intensity due to more extreme bushfire seasons under climate change. Government policies such as stricter licence conditions, pollution caps and cleaner technology requirements have kept industrial and transport emissions steady despite economic and population growth.
The Protection of the Environment Operations Act sets licence limits on industrial air pollution. The NSW Environment Protection Authority imposes emissions caps, mandates leak detection programs, requires air quality monitoring and reporting, and facilitates technology upgrades to cut pollution. The NSW Air Quality Policy also establishes health-based standards for key pollutants.
What Are the Future Predictions for Air Pollution in Tamworth?
Air quality models predict Tamworth's baseline pollution levels will remain low, but the trend towards more extreme heatwaves and earlier bushfire seasons will worsen seasonal smoke pollution without concerted climate action. Climate change could also increase ground-level ozone by accelerating ozone precursor chemical reactions.
Advanced dispersion models like The Air Pollution Model (TAPM) simulate complex chemistry and metrology to forecast pollution episodes. Satellite data, ground sensors and air quality indexing also monitor current pollution while tracking trends.
Climate change could worsen seasonal bushfire smoke and ozone pollution in Tamworth without steps to reach net zero emissions and build resilience. Transitioning to renewable energy, setting pollution caps and using green infrastructure will help Tamworth adapt to shifting climate patterns and mitigate future air quality declines.
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