Ambient Air Quality - Variation Downloads

At the NEPC meeting of 2 June 2007, Council released the discussion paper on the Ambient Air Quality NEPM Review for public consultation. The Paper considers issues that have been raised with policy framework and monitoring and reporting protocols. A separate paper will be released later this year addressing the air quality standards.

The discussion paper addresses issues raised with the current NEPM and proposes a number of options that could be considered for inclusion in the NEPM if a variation of the NEPM is required. The Paper is available below for stakeholder comment until 27 July 2007 along with the submission template for electronic lodgement.

Ambient Air Quality NEPM review – Issues Scoping Paper

When the NEPM was made NEPC committed to commencing a full review of the NEPM in 2005. The overall purpose of the NEPM review is to evaluate the performance of the current AAQ NEPM in achieving the desired environmental outcome of the measure, and to recommend to Council any changes required to the measure to reflect changes in science or policy that underpins the NEPM.

NEPC agreed that the review would be undertaken in stages with the first stage being the preparation and consultation on this Issues Scoping paper. The purpose of this Issues Scoping Paper is to gain stakeholder input to identify key issues that are to be considered in the Review of the Ambient Air Quality NEPM. The paper does not represent a position on any issue, and as such does not reflect the views of the Australian Government or that of any State or Territory.

Air Quality Standard Setting

Approaches to Hazard Assessment

An Advisory document has been developed by the health and environment sectors on a nationally agreed approach to hazard assessment as part of an approach to setting air quality standards in Australia. The process of developing the document has formed strong linkages between the health and environment sectors and provides a strong basis for ongoing collaborative work. This document that has been endorsed by NHMRC, enHealth committee and Australian Health Protection Council forms an important input to the work of the EPHC Standards Setting Working Group. EPHC Standing Committee endorsement of the Advisory document was obtained in October 2006.