Better preparedness for pollution events

‘Better preparedness’ projects aim to strengthen our knowledge and communication of the health impacts of air pollution, to help reduce pollution impacts on NSW communities, including from bushfires, hazard reduction burns and dust storms.

  • The new Air Quality Hub launched on the NSW Government's SEED platform allows the community to access the growing body of air quality data, learn about data insights and share knowledge.
  • The NASA 'Worldview' interactive interface platform has been customised for New South Wales to produce air quality forecasting and scenarios to inform air quality management and policy.
  • The Bushfire smoke plumes study into bushfire smoke’s chemical composition was conducted in collaboration with the NSW Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre and the University of Wollongong. The study will support work to reduce communities’ exposure to bushfire smoke.
  • A new air quality monitoring station was set up at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Ultimo to support research on air pollution in a busy CBD location.
  • The NSW Air Quality Monitoring Plan was expanded to increase knowledge of air pollutant and GHG emissions and support tracking progress to achieve NSW Net Zero targets.
  • Low-cost sensors and compliance monitoring stations were used to expand data collection during the EPA’s emergency response to major incidents. Such monitoring is essential to manage health impacts on local communities and the environment.
  • The Upper Hunter nowcasting model was developed to continue improving information on current air quality and forecasts across New South Wales.
  • Preliminary analysis of the health impacts of Liddle power station closure was completed, in collaboration with NSW Health and the University of Sydney.

Cleaner industry

Cleaner industry projects improve air quality by lowering pollution from industry, energy production and businesses, often as a co-benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting cleaner technologies.

  • The 'Bust the dust' campaign is now in its sixth year. To ensure industry focus on protecting the community from harmful dust particles, the EPA conducted roadside surveillance, unannounced inspections and drone monitoring of dust generated from 12 Hunter Valley coal mines. All mines were compliant with the dust mitigation measures in place.
  • For the Port of Newcastle Clean Energy Precinct to be hydrogen ready, the NSW Government is administering $100 million of Australian Government funding for enabling infrastructure, including engineering and design studies.
  • Renewable energy projects progressed under the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. Replacing coal power stations with renewable energy is reducing air pollutants and GHG emissions from fossil fuel-powered electricity generation.
  • The Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative reduces emissions by supporting local manufacturing capacity to deliver critical components for New South Wales’s emerging renewable energy technologies. Nearly $250 million has been allocated to projects under the Renewable Manufacturing construction ready stream and the Low Carbon Product Manufacturing construction ready stream to help decarbonise the NSW economy.

Cleaner transport, engines and fuels

Activities under this theme aim to reduce air emissions and impacts from vehicles, fuels and non-road diesel sources by integrating air quality improvements into transport planning, programs, projects and policies.

  • Work under the NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy progressed:
    • The Vehicle Emissions Star Rating tool now has over 17,000 makes and models of passenger vehicles registered to help people consider the environmental impact of their cars.
    • Nine EV-friendly road trips were launched in February 2025 reducing barriers to EV for travel around regional New South Wales.
    • Destination Charging grants funded 1,346 ports across 492 sites.
    • Kerbside Charging grants saw 516 ports installed across 297 sites.
  • Under the Net Zero Government Operations Policy, NSW Government agencies are implementing projects to reduce or replace natural gas, LPG and transport fuels.
  • Work encouraging the shift to public and active transport to reduce CO2 emissions continued: the Active Transport Behaviour Change Program provided practical courses to build confidence and capability in bike riding, with 92% of attendees reporting riding more frequently as a result.
  • In the Zero Emission Buses program, Transport for NSW has completed the conversion of Brookvale Bus Depot to battery electric fast-charging technology and received new fleet to service the Western Sydney International Airport.
  • Support of New South Wales’s transition to electric and cleaner vehicles continues:
    • The Transport for NSW EV web hub continued to provide key information to EV drivers and people considering purchasing an EV.
    • Under the Jolt Program (PDF 293KB), chargers are operational at Penrith, Cronulla, Oatley, Berowra, Roseville, Cabramatta and Liverpool.
  • The Places to Love program is improving walkable access to local public spaces. In 2025, 3 projects at Campbelltown City, Albury City and Georges River councils improved key active transport connections, resulting in an increase in pedestrian and bicycle movement.
  • The Safe Accessible Transport program, to upgrade stations and wharves to better align with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport, completed works at Greenwich Point and South Mosman wharves and Queanbeyan station. This program enhances the safety and accessibility of public transport, encouraging greater use over private vehicles, reducing vehicle emissions.
  • The Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway Ramp is now open with new accessible crossings, footpaths, shared paths and bike lanes.
  • The Western Harbour Tunnel Warringah Freeway Upgrade Project (WHT) is 100% powered by renewable energy during construction. The WHT will redistribute traffic from surface roads to underground tunnels, resulting in improvements to air quality for surrounding communities.
  • To promote walking and cycling as zero emission everyday transport, further reducing transport emissions:
    • The Strategic Cycleway Corridor program is progressing with network maps for 6 cities made available to the public.
    • A total of 76 council projects were successful in receiving funding in the Get NSW Active and Get Kids Active 2025–26 programs. Projects enable walking or riding to primary schools, and other active transport projects.
    • The E-micromobility Action Plan, refreshed in December 2025, is addressing 58 actions to promote and enable e-micromobility as a safe, accessible, sustainable transport choice for people in New South Wales.
  • The M6 Stage 1 Project has opened part of the 5 km shared pedestrian and cyclist pathway connecting Whiteoak Reserve to Scarborough Park. It provides new walking and cycling options to travel to schools, parks and local centres.
  • The reVITALise – Public Transport Precinct Vibrancy Grant program provided funding to 7 councils to improve amenity, safety and connectivity to and around public transport hub precincts. Projects incorporate tree canopy and vegetation into urban environments and solar-powered infrastructure to deliver air quality benefits for the community.

Healthier households

Projects under this theme help reduce air emissions from household activities, improve knowledge about the impacts of wood heater emissions and empower local government to better manage smoke from wood heaters.

  • The Consumer Energy Strategy includes several initiatives to reduce emissions from households and small businesses through the transition to renewable energy. Programs include Home Energy Saver; Solar for Apartment Residents; electrification targets for households and businesses; electrification for social housing; and the NSW Gas Decarbonisation Roadmap.
  • NSW wood heater research continued, to further understand the health impacts of wood heaters and the effectiveness of different types of interventions.
  • The Standards Australia wood heater emission and efficiency standards were updated, resulting in the publication of a new stricter emissions standard in June 2025 for new wood heaters, effective 2030.
  • The EPA updated website information for the community and councils on reducing wood smoke emissions, including on the use of video evidence to assist councils to take action on excessive wood heater smoke.

Better places

Better places projects aim to reduce impacts of air pollution on communities through better planning and design of places, buildings and infrastructure, including green infrastructure. Increasing tree canopy absorbs pollutants, converts carbon dioxide into oxygen and reduces ground-level ozone through temperature reduction.

  • The new Heat Vulnerability Index for the Greater Sydney Region and Tree Canopy Access datasets were published on the SEED portal. These will help Greater Sydney councils and government agencies target their canopy enhancement initiatives and take measures to support heat vulnerable communities.
  • Through the Greening our City Program, the NSW Government is providing up to $10 million in funding to eligible councils for urban greening projects.
  • Built environment focus under Net Zero Plan: the new Net Zero Plan will include a focus on reducing emissions from the built environment. Measures that reduce GHG emissions by reducing energy and heating demand also contribute to improved air quality.

More information