Find A Document:
SmokeWatch Mount Gambier concluded in 2011 as a three-year program with the aim of improving air quality by reducing wood smoke locally, and encouraging householders to follow the four SmokeWatch steps to create a more efficient fire.
Various activities were undertaken in 2009, 2010 and 2011 aimed at encouraging householders to use their wood heaters more efficiently, reducing wood smoke pollution. More information about these activities and the results of the air monitoring undertaken over winter in Mount Gambier can be found in the 2009 and 2010 reports. The 2011 campaign report will be available online next year.
Highlights of the 2011 program included:
- the provision of wood moisture meters to the local library to loan to residents
- the development of a self-assessment tool for wood heater users
- a community information workshop providing results of air quality monitoring in Mount Gambier and an opportunity for residents to ask questions about air quality in Mount Gambier and how to improve wood heating efficiency.
Community awareness of air quality issues was raised and air quality monitoring throughout the program provided information on the sources of particle pollution including the contribution of domestic wood smoke. It is important to continue to use wood heaters efficiently to reduce excessive wood smoke.
Want to know more?
A SmokeWatch information pack can be obtained through the City of Mount Gambier. Alternatively, contact the EPA on (08) 8204 2004 or email if you are interested in a pack for your home or would like to join our email list to be updated on the latest news about SmokeWatch in Mount Gambier.
Air quality monitoring
From 2009 to 2011 an air quality monitoring trailer was located at the Gordon Education Centre during the winter months to find out important information about local air quality, particularly in regards to wood smoke
The air monitoring trailer measured particulate pollution (PM10 and PM2.5) to provide the EPA with information on both fine and coarse particle pollution in the air.
Air quality monitoring in Mount Gambier for 2011 began in April and will continue until September.
Information collected from monitoring is used to create an Air Quality Index (AQI) for Mount Gambier that describes recent air quality. The AQI is updated twice daily.
The Mount Gambier 2011 winter monitoring period finished on the 30th of September 2011.
| Sept 2011 | Aug 2011 | Jul 2011 | Jun 2011 | May 2011 | Apr 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 - 26 | 29 - 4 Sept | 25 - 31 | 20 - 26 | 23 - 29 | 25 - 1 May |
| 19 - 25 | 22 - 28 | 18 - 24 | 13 - 19 | 16 - 22 | 18 - 24 |
| 12 - 18 | 15 - 21 | 11 - 17 | 6 - 12 | 9 - 15 | |
| 5 - 11 | 8 - 14 | 4 - 10 | 30 May - 5 | 2 - 8 | |
| 1 - 7 | 27 Jun - 3 |
Weekly graphs from previous years are available below:
Working together
SmokeWatch in Mount Gambier was a partnership between the EPA, City of Mount Gambier, Department of Health (including Public Health and the South East Regional Community Health Service), Firewood Association of Australia and Australian Home Heating Association.
Various local businesses, organisations and schools have also come on board to support the program and assisted in promoting the SmokeWatch messages. If your business, community group, school or organisation would like find out more about improving wood heating efficiency please contact the EPA on (08) 8204 2004 or email.
Last modified: 21/12/2011 11:12 am
