With so many bushfires causing poor air quality in our area and affecting people's health, the arrival of an air quality incident monitor is good news for locals.

Hourly air quality updates will be available to Lismore residents following the installation of a temporary monitor in response to the ongoing bushfires burning in their areas.

Other areas to receive temporary air quality monitors include Ballina, Taree, Coffs Harbour and Grafton.

Link to air quality monitoring information: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/air-quality/air-quality-concentration-data-updated-hourly

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NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Director of Climate and Atmospheric Matthew Riley said that smoke from bushfires across NSW is significantly contributing to poor air quality in areas across New South Wales, and these additional monitors will provide up-to-date real time info for the people on the North Coast.

"These areas normally have some of the best air quality in the world," Mr Riley said.

"Unfortunately, the severe bushfires in these regions and the unprecedented fire season we are dealing with has resulted in ongoing air quality issues from the smoke and dust.

"These temporary monitors will ensure people and health services in those areas can get the information they need to make important decisions on providing health care advice for the community or for individuals implementing their own health plans."

The need for a permanent air quality monitor in Lismore was recently taken up by the office of local MP Janelle Saffin.

"Our office contacted the Minister of Energy and Environment in September, representing a constituent who was concerned about the unavailability of a permanent air quality monitoring in Lismore," Ms Saffin said.

"We were advised that the Department’s Science Division is working to identify the best location for a permanent air quality monitoring station and there is no timeline for this.

"Our office has written a follow up letter to the Minister, asking him to expedite the process to install this permanent air quality monitoring station.

"We are awaiting a reply from his office."

Mr Riley said the NSW Government operates the most comprehensive accredited air quality monitoring network in Australia.

"Now with approximately 90 stations across the state, and we have been working to broaden the network into more regional areas in consultation with local councils," Mr Riley said.

"The expanded Rural Air Quality Monitoring network together with the ongoing incident monitoring in Port Macquarie and the new station in Armidale have provided important information on the air quality impacts of these bushfires.

"NSW Government scientists will now be able to use the information gathered by these emergency monitors to build a more complete assessment of air quality across NSW during this emergency.

NSW Government scientists are also working with the NSW Rural Fire Service to understand wildfire conditions and the likelihood of smoke persisting, and the Bureau of Meteorology who give a broader outlook on winds and weather conditions that exacerbate air quality in New South Wales.

Information about air quality in NSW, including subscription to email and SMS alerts is available at https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/air/about-the-air-program

Health advice in relation to air quality is available at NSW Health: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx