Australian Conservation Foundation ranks Gladstone and Stanwell’s air pollution among the nation’s worst as coal towns dominate top 10

Air pollution in two Central Queensland towns has been ranked among Australia’s worst as one local advocates says the majority of residents support more ambitious climate policies. SEE THE FULL LIST

The Port City has been identified among the worst locations in Australia for air pollution, as regions hosting the coal industry dominate the list.

It comes as a Central Queensland climate advocates say big polluters must be held to a higher standard by both the public and government.

New data analysed by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) has listed Gladstone, and three other Queensland towns, among the top 10 air polluters, by postcode, across the country and linked their proximity to power stations.

An aerial view of the Gladstone Power Station which has been identified by the ACF as a contributor to Gladstone’s air pollution woes. Picture: News Corp

SEE THE FULL LIST BELOW.

The data set, released by the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) earlier this year, details emissions from more than 4,000 industrial facilities and has done so for the past 23 years.

Mount Isa (4825) tops the list nationwide, while Queensland’s Gladstone (4680), Stanwell (4702), and Tarong (4615) also feature.

ACF’s analysis has revealed that six of the 10 postcodes with the highest air pollution host a coal-fired power station or coal mine.

Australian Conservation Foundation economy manager, Matt Rose said their analysis focused on five dangerous air pollutants, namely coarse particles (PM10), fine particles (PM2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and mercury.

Australian Conservation Foundation economy manager, Matt Rose says there are particular concerns about the Gladstone Power Station. Picture: News Corp

“Air pollution from digging and burning coal is a major health hazard for many Australian communities, and will only continue without a real plan to replace ageing and failing coal-fired power stations with renewable energy,” Mr Rose said.

Interstate, Western Australia hosts four towns among the highest aggregate levels of five dangerous air pollutants, while New South Wales and Victorian postcodes also feature.

It comes as a new magnesium refinery in Queensland is set for construction despite significant interest from China to have it built offshore.

Mr Rose identified particular issues with Gladstone’s air quality, which he said was home to one of the state’s oldest and dirtiest coal plants.

The Mount Isa Mine dominates the landscape of the remote town which has been names as the worst postcode for air pollution in Australia. Picture: Supplied

“Visible pollution and maintenance concerns at Gladstone Power Station have gained media attention in 2020 and 2021, and ACFs analysis shows its PM10 and PM2.5 emissions rising every year since 2017/18,” he said.

“Gladstone Power Station’s inadequate operating licence, under Queensland’s already substandard air pollution rules, leaves the community in the dark about how bad the pollution in their homes and backyards actually is.”

Gladstone resident, and Australian Conservation Foundation community campaigner, Jaclyn McCosker said industry needed to be held to account.

Australian Conservation Foundation campaigner, Jaclyn McCosker has previously asked the state government to tighten the pollution license for the Gladstone Power Station. Picture: News Corp

“I grew up in the suburb neighbouring the Gladstone Power Station, and in my family we have a lot of asthma, allergies and sinus issues … quite a lot of the pollutants recorded in the NPI cause, or worsen, these types of health conditions … so we’ve always been aware of the issue,” Ms McCosker said.

“(We) need our governments to get tougher on bad behaviour, we already have solutions to reduce air pollution right away by strengthening air quality regulations and speeding up the transition to renewable energy … what we need is a government with a backbone to hold industry to account.

“We know from polling in the region, and I also know from living here and having this conversation with everyone I meet, that the majority of Central Queenslanders support more ambitious climate policy than we’re currently being offered.

“It’s a really convenient trope for some people to fall back on, to over exaggerate support for fossil fuel investment, but in reality there is a wide diversity of opinions in every electorate … we all just want a healthy environment and a safe future for our kids.”

A map of Australia identifying the regions which host the worst air pollution (by postcode), with a majority being situated close to a coal-fired plant. Picture: Supplied (ACF)

Top 10 postcodes hosting highest levels of air pollution

1. Mount Isa, Qld (4825)

2. Newman, WA (6753)

3. Muswellbrook, NSW (2333)

4. Tom Price, WA (6751)

5. Traralgon, Vic (3844)

6. Gladstone, Qld (4680)

7. Stanwell, Qld (4702)

8. Collie, WA (6225)

9. Tarong, Qld (4615)

10. Kalgoorlie WA (6431)

* Muswellbrook, Traralgon, Gladstone, Stanwell, Collie, and Tarong have all been identified as having an operational coal plant in or around the suburb by the ACF.

NRG Gladstone Operating Services, which owns the Gladstone Power Station, has been unable to provide a response at this time.