Air pollution happens when particles and gases enter the air. These can come from cars and trucks, factories, dust, pollen, barbeques, wood heaters, and bushfires.
In NSW, air pollution is regulated under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act). This law provides the rules for investigating air pollution and preventing harm to the environment and public health.
Under the POEO Act, air pollution means releasing any impurity into the air. Not all emissions can be stopped. Everyday activities such as farming, industry, and business operations will produce some emissions. For this reason, the law sets limits on how much pollution is allowed.
At a local level, small amounts of air pollution may be permitted, but they are still controlled under the POEO Act. For example, a wood fire may produce smoke when first lit. Once the fire is established, smoke should be minimal and not visible.
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Air Pollution in Your Local Area
Some air pollution, such as smoke from cooking or wood fires, can often be resolved by speaking with your neighbour first. This is recommended before contacting Council.
If you would like more guidance, you may choose to seek free legal advice from Legal Aid New South Wales. They provide general legal help and offer an online chat service to help you understand your options.
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Type of Air Pollution Council Investigates
Council can help with air pollution issues, such as:
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Spray painting at residential or commercial properties.
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Smoke and nuisance burning at residential premises.
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Dust from building sites.
Council will also investigate air pollution caused by:
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Small and medium-sized businesses.
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Smoke and odours from local industry.
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Odours from restaurants, food outlets, or other small businesses.
You can request Council assistance by using Log it / Fix it or by contacting the Customer Service Centre.
To help officers investigate the issue, please provide:
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The date and time of the incident.
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How long the pollution lasted.
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A description of the pollution.
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Any steps taken to resolve the issue privately.
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Your contact details.
Council may also ask you to keep an odour diary for two weeks. This helps show the pattern and strength of the pollution.
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Air Pollution from Public Land and Licensed Industry
If you notice air pollution coming from government-owned land or licenced industrial sites, you can report it to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) by calling 131 555.
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More Information
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