Le Fevre 2 Air Quality Monitoring Site launch
The EPA has expanded its air quality monitoring network with the opening of a second site on the Le Fevre Peninsula.
Overall, the air quality in Adelaide is relatively good compared with other states, in part because of our smaller population, and also because weather conditions help to clear pollutants out away from the city, but monitoring, reporting and managing air quality remains a key part of EPA focus.
The EPA has expanded its air quality monitoring network with the opening of a second site on the Le Fevre Peninsula on 27 September 2013 within the grounds of North Haven Primary School.
This monitoring station is an important part of the EPA’s plan to expand its existing air monitoring network, and has been established to improve and increase air quality monitoring for the Adelaide metropolitan area.
Le Fevre Peninsula has been identified by the state government in its 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide as an area for future growth. With the existing mix of industry and residential land uses, along with plans for further growth, there is a commitment by the EPA to better understand air quality in this area and deliver management inputs where necessary and appropriate.
Placing the second monitoring station at the North Haven Primary School in the heart of the Peninsula will strengthen the EPA’s ability to identify major pollution sources affecting the community in the vicinity. The site was chosen as it has a large secure and open area suitable for monitoring to take place, as well as the necessary space to house the monitoring station.
In June 2005, the EPA established the first air quality monitoring site at the further end of the Le Fevre Peninsula, at Birkenhead, which continuously monitors fine particles. The new station monitors a wider range of pollutants and is only the second station in Adelaide to monitor fine particles (2.5 µm or PM2.5), including several gases measured under the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure.
EPA Chief Executive Dr Campbell Gemmell joined North Haven Primary School Principal Ms Robyn Ravalico, along with a number of government, industry and community representatives, at the launch and discussed with students the importance of air monitoring in South Australia.
Data from all EPA air monitoring stations is updated every hour and available via the EPA website.
