The Finocchiaro CLP Government has passed the Safe Air Bill 2026 to enable establishment of a scheme to deliver greater transparency about air quality.
The scheme will enable specific industrial pollutants, including benzene, to be monitored and publicly reported in the Darwin airshed for the first time.
The scheme will be funded by industry, with monitoring data to be made available online through the existing NT Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) website.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is delivering greater transparency and certainty around air quality monitoring for Territorians, today passing the Safe Air Bill 2026.
The Bill will enable the establishment of an industry-funded Environmental Monitoring Scheme to measure specific industrial pollutants associated with hydrocarbon processing facilities for the first time, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene.
Monitoring data collected under the scheme will be published online through the existing NT EPA website [http://ntepa.webhop.net/NTEPA/Default.ltr.aspx], giving Territorians access to clear, evidence-based information about air quality across Darwin, Palmerston and surrounding communities.
Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment Joshua Burgoyne said the legislation would ensure transparency around air quality and provide the public with visibility of air quality data.
"This Bill is about providing the transparency and evidence-based information people need to have certainty about the air they breathe, while maintaining appropriate environmental oversight," Minister Burgoyne said.
"Our Government is taking important action to ensure the community has access to clear, publicly available information about air quality, in real-time.
"Importantly, Territorians will not foot the bill. The establishment and ongoing operation of the monitoring scheme will be funded by industry, not taxpayers."
Monitoring will be undertaken by the NT EPA and the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment and the new scheme will operate alongside existing environmental laws, licences and approvals that regulate emissions from individual facilities.
"There are a huge number of regulations across the board to ensure everyone is doing the right thing," Minister Burgoyne said.
"We can support industry and economic development in a responsible manner while ensuring environmental monitoring is in place and the community has access to the facts."
Work to improve the ambient air quality monitoring network is underway and is anticipated to commence by July 2027, with Future Tender Opportunities for the improvements now published.
The immediate priority is to develop the scheme for the Darwin airshed, with monitoring locations to be determined through its technical design.
