Dear Valued Clients and Colleagues,

It is Easter already and the first quarter of 2009 seems to have flown by at cyclonic speed. I guess that is a product of being very busy with many interesting projects.

Thankfully, many of our fantastic clients must be too busy planning new projects or expansions to existing ones, looking beyond the current financial crisis. As a consequence we have been flat out delivering air quality studies, environmental evaluations and planning studies for entire geographical regions. Ideas for new projects seem to be very much alive and kicking.

Energy, energy and more energy

The reported economic downturn does not appear to have quenched Australia or the world’s thirst for energy. A significant number of our recent projects involve assessing the potential air quality impacts associated with coal mining, base load coal-fired power stations, natural gas-fired peaking plants, coal seam gas extraction, LNG processing and coal rail transport to coal export terminals.

With the global demand for energy continuing to rise, the debate over the Carbon Pollution Reduction Plan raging and the issue of climate change becoming more urgent, the nuclear energy debate appears to be active again, with many resource companies looking to exploit uranium deposits in Australia and overseas.

Recently, we have been expanding our skills into modelling the dispersion and impacts of radioactive dust and gases associated with uranium mining.

On a personal note...

The Katestone Environmental extended family seems to be ever growing with two new additions imminent. In April, Natalie Shaw went on leave in anticipation of the arrival of her and her husband Keith’s first child, due at the end of April. However, we just could not keep Natalie away and resting as she appeared back in the office three days after her leaving party to continue to work on her projects. We all wish Natalie and Keith the very best for the upcoming arrival.

My daughter Amber is getting very excited that she will soon have a little sister to look after, as Stuart and I are looking forward to the arrival of number two in early July. I might have to seriously consider opening the Katestone crèche. Amber has already keenly taken on the role of being the big sister to the Katestone Kids and recently enjoyed celebrating Andrew and Erin Balch's daughter Darcy's first birthday.

We would also like to welcome Sarah Menzel to the Katestone Environmental team. Sarah joined us in November last year on completion of her Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree and has now accepted a full time position as an Air Quality Consultant.

We would also like to congratulate Sarah on achieving the distinction of gaining First Class Honours, for her research topic: The Emission, Transport and Deposition of Aeolian Ammonia From Poultry Farm to Pumicestone Passage: Use of TAPM to Estimate Annual Loading. Sarah has already begun to put her skills in TAPM dispersion modelling to good use and is eagerly learning about the other dispersion models we commonly use including AUSPLUME and CALMET/CALPUFF.

Thanks for all your continued support in these hard economic times. As always we will continue to work hard to deliver high quality air pollution and meteorological studies.

Yours sincerely

Christine Killip
Managing Director

The new Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 2008

In accordance with the Environmental Protection Act, the EPP(Air) is to undergo a review process every ten years. Consequently, a review of the original policy was undertaken by EPA last year culminating in the gazettal of the new EPP(Air) on 1 January 2009.

The new policy includes a number of changes and additions to the air quality goals provided in the previous version. Additionally, the language used in the policy has also changed, with the air quality ‘goals’ now referred to as air quality objectives. The principal observation to take out of the new policy is the adoption of many of the National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) standards for many indicators.

Some of the primary changes to objectives that may affect new developments include:

• Oxides of nitrogen: 250 µg/m³ (1-hour average) and omission of the 4-hour average objective for vegetation.
• Particulates as PM₁₀: 50 µg/m³ (24-hour average) and omission of the objective for the annual average.
• Particulates as PM_2.5: adoption of the NEPM advisory standards of 25 µg/m³ (24-hour average) and 8 µg/m³ (annual average).
• Sulfur dioxide: omission of the 700 µg/m³ (10-minute average) and tightening of the objectives for protecting agriculture and health and biodiversity of ecosystems to 32 µg/m³ (annual average) and 22 µg/m³ (annual average) respectively.
• Lead: changed from 1.5 µg/m³ (90-day average) to 0.5 µg/m³ (annual average).

Katestone Environmental did have an opportunity to review and comment on the new EPP(Air) on behalf of the Queensland Resource Council and is currently involved in reviewing the document with CASANZ. We are currently seeking clarification on several points with regard to the interpretation and function of the policy.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding how the new policy will affect your business, please do not hesitate to contact us and we can advise you.

Environmental evaluations and pollution reduction programs

Whilst on the topic of environmental evaluations, Katestone Environmental has been commissioned by a number of companies to conduct air quality studies in response to Notices issued by the environmental regulator. If you are issued with one of these you should seek legal advice as a first step.

Katestone Environmental can assist by conducting an assessment to meet the requirements of the Notice for air pollution and odour related issues. Katestone Environmental will:

• Design an assessment methodology in consultation with the client and the Environmental Regulator.
• Put together a team of experts that can conduct the assessment.
• Complete the assessment and prepare a report to the satisfaction of the Environmental Regulator.

Katestone Environmental has conducted environmental evaluations for the following industries:

• Coal transport by rail in central Queensland.
• Coal handling at mine and port.
• Iron and steel foundry.
• Aluminium smelting.