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We have a long-term commitment to monitoring air quality around our ports. Where possible, we also provide this information in real-time to our port communities.
At McEwens Beach we measure PM10 which are finer airborne particles invisible to the naked eye.
What do the numbers mean?
Dust particles are categorised according to their size.
PM10 are tiny particles that are less than 10 micrometres in diameter. They are not visible to the naked eye.
The amount of dust particles in the atmosphere is measured in micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3).
Dust levels at McEwens Beach and both Mackay sites are typically well below levels that are considered problematic.
Stronger winds can lead to elevated dust levels. Wind speed descriptions use the Beaufort Wind Scale.
Understanding the weather
Wind is labelled according to the direction from which it originates. For example, a ‘south-southeast wind’ blows from a south-southeasterly direction.
Stronger winds can lead to elevated dust levels. Wind speed descriptions use the Beaufort Wind Scale.
The dust measurements shown above use unvalidated data, updated as per the time period indicated above the dial. We voluntarily make available this information as a useful tool for our port communities; however, it’s important to remember that the dust measurements shown may change when validated and should not be relied upon as final.
The graphs below show validated data for the most recent calendar year. All dust data shown is provided by a third-party firm, Ecotech, who manage NQBP’s dust monitoring activities at the sites of McEwens Beach, Mackay northern and southern stations. Wind and weather information is provided by Bureau of Meteorology.
In 2023, PM10 level of "good" was recorded for 73.61% of the year at our McEwens Beach site.
Data shown 01/01/2023-31/12/2023.
You can also download our hourly validated readings for 2023.
Sites are maintained regularly and periods of time where data is unavailable may reflect these maintenance works.
The McEwens Beach air quality monitoring program began mid-2013.
At our Mackay northern station we measure PM10, which are finer airborne particles invisible to the naked eye.
What the numbers mean
Dust particles are categorised according to their size.
PM10 are tiny particles that are less than 10 micrometres in diameter. They are not visible to the naked eye.
The amount of dust particles in the atmosphere is measured in micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3).
Dust levels at McEwens Beach and both Mackay sites are typically well below levels that are considered problematic.
Stronger winds can lead to elevated dust levels. Wind speed descriptions use the Beaufort Wind Scale.
Understanding the weather
Wind is labelled according to the direction from which it originates. For example, a ‘south-southeast wind’ blows from a south-southeasterly direction.
Stronger winds can lead to elevated dust levels. Wind speed descriptions use the Beaufort Wind Scale.
The dust measurements shown above use unvalidated data, updated as per the time period indicated above the dial. We voluntarily make available this information as a useful tool for our port communities; however, it’s important to remember that the dust measurements shown may change when validated and should not be relied upon as final. The graphs below show validated data for the most recent calendar year. All dust data shown is provided by a third-party firm, Ecotech, who manage NQBP’s dust monitoring activities at the sites of McEwens Beach, Mackay northern and middle breakwaters. Wind and weather information is provided by Bureau of Meteorology.
In 2023, a level of "good" was recorded for 76% of the year at Mackay's northern station.
Data shown 01/01/2023-31/12/2023.
You can also download our hourly validated readings for all of 2023.
Sites are maintained regularly and short periods of time where data is unavailable may reflect these maintenance works.
The Mackay air quality monitoring program began mid-2016.
At our Mackay southern station we measure PM10, which are finer airborne particles invisible to the naked eye.
What the numbers mean
Dust particles are categorised according to their size.
PM10 are tiny particles that are less than 10 micrometres in diameter. They are not visible to the naked eye.
The amount of dust particles in the atmosphere is measured in micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3).
Dust levels at McEwens Beach and both Mackay sites are typically well below levels that are considered problematic.
Stronger winds can lead to elevated dust levels. Wind speed descriptions use the Beaufort Wind Scale.
Understanding the weather
Wind is labelled according to the direction from which it originates. For example, a ‘south-southeast wind’ blows from a south-southeasterly direction.
Stronger winds can lead to elevated dust levels. Wind speed descriptions use the Beaufort Wind Scale.
The dust measurements shown above use unvalidated data, updated as per the time period indicated above the dial. We voluntarily make available this information as a useful tool for our port communities; however, it’s important to remember that the dust measurements shown may change when validated and should not be relied upon as final. The graphs below show validated data for the most recent calendar year. All dust data shown is provided by a third-party firm, Ecotech, who manage NQBP’s dust monitoring activities at the sites of McEwens Beach, Mackay northern and middle breakwaters. Wind and weather information is provided by Bureau of Meteorology.
In 2023, a level of "good" was recorded for 84.66% of the year at Mackay's southern site.
Data shown 01/01/2023-31/12/2023.
You can also download our hourly validated readings for all of 2023.
Sites are maintained regularly and short periods of time where data is unavailable may reflect these maintenance works.
The Mackay air quality monitoring program began mid-2016.