The Department of Environment and Science (DES) is upgrading and expanding its network of air quality monitoring stations.
The initiative will provide better public health information during bushfires.
Minister for the Environment, Meaghan Scanlon said that with the 2021 bushfire season around the corner, the Department had completed upgrades to monitoring stations on the Sunshine Coast, Deception Bay, North Maclean, Flinders View (Ipswich) and Mutdapilly.
It would also establish additional sensors in a further 50 community locations.
“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,” Ms 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.”
She said that while the system had proven effective, there was always more that could be done “which is why we’ve upgraded our network to include monitoring of particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres”.
“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,” Ms Scanlon said.
She said the rollout of the 50 additional sensors would continue through to 2023.
