Hunter mines have been put on notice from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to keep an eye on air quality.
And to help them comply, penalties have been strengthened, the agency says.
The reminder comes with the EPA’s sixth annual Bust the Dust spring campaign kicking off again this month.
Mines found to have breached their licences face a $30,000 fine for a first offence and $45,000 for a subsequent offence.
During the campaign, EPA officers will be conducting roadside surveillance and unannounced inspections, using drones to monitor dust generation.
NSW EPA Director Operations David Gathercole says he recognises that communities want to see stronger laws to ensure open cut mines don’t contribute to air pollution.
HUNTER SPRING A PEAK TIME FOR DUST
“While we regulate dust emissions year-round, regional air quality monitoring shows spring is a peak time for particle pollution,” he explains.
“The Bust the Dust campaign is a timely reminder for operators to have the right practices in place before we come knocking.
“Mines can prevent dust pollution through improved surveillance and reporting and by deploying water on stockpiles and roads or just ceasing work during dry and windy conditions.”
The NSW EPA says earlier this year, Warkworth Mining in Mount Thorley had to sign a legally binding agreement to improve dust management.
The mine was forced to pay $120,000 to a local environmental rehabilitation project after operational failures were found during the 2023 Bust the Dust campaign.
More than 11 mines were inspected across the region in last year’s campaign and all were found to be managing dust appropriately.
Community members are encouraged to report concerns about dust emissions to the Environment Line on 131 555 or via email at info@epa.nsw.gov.au.
APPLY NOW FOR WASTE FUNDING, SAYS NSW EPA
The NSW EPA is now inviting applications for funding under the $2 million Local Government Waste Solutions Fund (LGWS).
The fourth round of funding is to help councils and regional waste groups; grants of up to $200,000 for individual councils in the NSW waste levy area and up to $400,000 for collaborative projects will be available.
Applications will remain open until October 10.
The NSW EPA says a growing waste crisis in Greater Sydney is putting pressure on landfill capacity and recycling systems.
NSW EPA executive director Alexandra Geddes said the new round will give local councils a chance to find more innovative ways of managing waste.
“Councils are on the frontline of delivering real change in the way we manage waste and recover resources,” she says.
“The program is supporting projects that will divert hundreds of tonnes of materials from landfill, from recycling child car seats and construction materials, to reducing single-use plastics and revitalising old bikes and textiles.”
Since 2023, the EPA says, their program spent $6.8 million on 34 projects to trial, scale and embed new ways of cutting waste, recovering resources and re-using valuable materials.
The agency points to successful recipients like:
- Georges River Council: given $43,815 to collect hard plastics, polystyrene, cardboard and child car seats, paving the way for child car seat recycling.
- North East Waste: given $166,400 to build better construction and demolition recovery systems by diverting 38 tonnes of gyprock and recovering 7.32 tonnes of reusable timber.
- Penrith Council: given $115,000 to keep bicycles and textiles out of landfill by teaching the public to re-use these items and keep them out of landfills.
- Central Coast Council: given $199,724 to integrate a kerbside ‘Bag-in-Bin’ program for yellow lid rubbish bins.
Projects approved for funding in this round are to be delivered over 12 months starting from April 2026, the EPA says.
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