About 40 Latrobe Valley community members attended an Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) information session on Wednesday 24 August to discuss local concerns about air quality issues.
EPA Group Manager of Applied Sciences Anthony Boxshall said at the session 20 people had put their names forward to join a panel that would help co-design a new air monitoring program for the Latrobe Valley - about twice as many applicants that were expected on the night.
“A number of residents would also have received a letter from the EPA inviting them to join us, so we are still hoping that another 10 people from the local community will see that letter and sign up to ensure there is a full representation from right across the Latrobe Valley on the panel,” Dr Boxshall said.
Dr Boxshall said the panel, with support from EPA and other air monitoring experts, would look at how to improve the way EPA monitors air quality in the Latrobe Valley.
“People don’t need to be scientists or know about current air monitoring as everything they require will be provided as we move towards a new model of air monitoring for the Latrobe Valley,” Dr Boxshall said.
Dr Boxshall said the community could still have their say about the future air monitoring network in the Latrobe Valley without sitting on the panel.
“Latrobe Valley community members can let us know their ideas and opinions about air monitoring locations and options by emailing us at epa.gippsland@epa.vic.gov.au using the subject line ‘community air monitoring ideas’,” Dr Boxshall said.