The Dialogue has undertaken a review of changes in particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in the Upper Hunter region, following questions raised at the 2024 Community Forum about the recency of the NSW EPA’s 2012 Upper Hunter Fine Particle Characterisation Study.

This review considers:

• Long-term PM2.5 monitoring by ANSTO in Muswellbrook
• The impact of the Liddell Power Station closure
• The influence of wood smoke and domestic heating
• Trends in coal production, land disturbance, and rehabilitation
• Population changes and their potential impacts
• Comparisons with other regions in NSW

Overall, the findings indicate there has been little change in PM2.5 concentrations and sources since 2012.