BY IAN CROUCH

Air quality in the Hunter has taken a turn for the worse, with the region’s biggest air polluters releasing more toxic emissions than ever before.

The latest data shows our coal mines and power stations recorded big increases in fine particle emissions, including the Vales Point power station at Lake Macquarie, which saw a 179 percent jump in the last 12 months.

Bayswater Power Station’s fine particle emissions rose by 69 percent, while the region’s 10 most polluting coal mines saw a 2 percent increase.

It’s prompted environmental groups to call for tougher pollution laws.



Vales Point Power Station