The Air Quality Index (AQI) was in the ‘very good’, ‘good’ or ‘fair’ category for 60% of the time in the Northern Tablelands, 75% in the Central Tablelands, 79% to 86% in the Sydney regions, 81% in the South-west Slopes and Upper Hunter, 82% in the North-west Slopes, and 87% to 91% of the time in all other regions (Lower Hunter, Illawarra and Central Coast). The ‘very good’ to ‘fair’ AQI categories represent the amount of time air quality met relevant standards.
Widespread smoke and dust storms significantly affected air quality levels throughout the State, particularly during the bushfire emergency period from late October 2019.
Sydney air quality was also affected by smoke from hazard reduction burns during the cooler months.
Air quality in Armidale, within the Northern Tablelands region, is often affected by smoke from domestic wood heaters during the cooler months.
The percentage of time spent in each Air Quality Index category throughout New South Wales regions in 2019.
Time series analysis of Air Quality Index in Sydney and Illawarra Regions for 2019.
Air Quality Index time series for the Central Coast, Lower Hunter, and Upper Hunter Regions in 2019.
Regional Air Quality Index time series for 2019: South-West Slopes, Central Tablelands, North-West Slopes, and Northern Tablelands.