WHO sets the agenda for Namoi region air quality issues is set to change, with the local advisory board searching for new recruits.
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The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is seeking nominations for the Namoi Region Air Quality Advisory Committee, with 14 community and industry representatives needed to fill the board.
The committee meets regularly to advise the EPA on issues relating to regional air quality management and represent the needs of industry and community in the Namoi Region.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate strong local community links and an understanding of air quality issues.
Colleen Fuller is the single Gunnedah community representative and has been on the committee for three years.
An asthma sufferer, Mrs Fuller also works with the local health committee and relays information back to the community and hospital about any air quality issues that could be triggering asthmatics or people with allergies.
"It's a worthy committee to be on, particularly because I'm an asthmatic, and I pass on the information I learn to other people that are asthmatics as well," she said.
"Anyone on the committee is allowed to have a voice and an opinion, or raise any issues that are out there in the community that are brought to their attention," she said.
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Gunnedah's air quality monitoring station is located at Kitchener Park, and services the whole region.
There is also an air quality monitoring station in Narrabri, but none in the smaller towns like Boggabri, despite parts of the community calling for one.
"I know Boggabri people wanted another monitor up there but at this stage that hasn't happened," Mrs Fuller said.
"The Gunnedah monitor covers there and they've got other smaller monitors on the mine sites."
The station provides hourly pollutant concentrations, a 24-hour summary and air quality category ratings.
The EPA is searching for a chair person, three representatives of the community's environmental interests in the Narrabri, Gunnedah and Liverpool Plains local government areas, three representatives of the region's mining companies and one representative of an industry other than mining.
It's also looking for multiple indigenous representatives of the community, including one from Narrabri, one from Boggabri, Gunnedah or Breeza and one from Quirindi or Werris Creek.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday, July 9, 2021.
The committee re-advertises the positions every two years, and existing members who wish to continue on the board have to reapply.
Successful applicants will be appointed to the Committee for two years.
To apply and for more information about the role and function of the committee visit: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/working-together/community-engagement/community-news/namoi-air-quality-advisory-committee, or contact the EPA Armidale office on 02 6773 7000 or nraqac@epa.nsw.gov.au.
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