Air Quality
Air Quality Approach
The M6 Stage 1 ventilation systems are designed to meet strict in-tunnel and ambient air quality criteria to protect and improve the health of local communities, the environment and motorists using the tunnels.
These tunnels can help reduce air pollution by moving traffic from local roads and moving vehicles underground. The in-tunnel air systems allow vehicle emissions to be controlled and dispersed more efficiently. Air quality will be closely monitored to ensure the Minister’s Conditions of Approval and air quality standards are met.
The Conditions of Approval set out limits on emissions from ventilation outlets, and maximum concentrations for Ambient Air Quality.
The monitoring, notification and reporting requirements are also outlined in the Conditions of Approval.
M6 Stage 1 ventilation facilities location
There are two ventilation facilities for M6 Stage 1, located at Arncliffe and Rockdale.
The northern Arncliffe ventilation facilities are located near the Marsh Street intersection, utilising existing structures built for the M8. The southern Rockdale ventilation will be in the industrial zone on West Botany Street.
These elevated ventilation facilities are very effective in ejecting tunnel air high into the atmosphere through a combination of buoyancy and speed. Once in the atmosphere, the ejected tunnel air dilutes hundreds of times as it mixes with the surrounding air and becomes indistinguishable from background levels.
Air Quality Community Consultative Committee
The M6 Stage 1 Air Quality Community Consultative Committee was established in late 2022 to provide advice and share feedback on behalf of the local community on areas relating to air quality monitoring.
Advice received will inform items such as: the location of the ventilation facility in Rockdale, key operational and environmental documents relating to quality, and sharing important air quality monitoring results with local community networks.
The Air Quality Community Consultative Committee (AQCCC) is comprised of:
An independent Chair
Three community members representing Arncliffe
Three community members representing Rockdale
One representative from Bayside Council
Minimum one representative from Transport for NSW
Once appointed, a representative from the tunnel operator
Also in attendance are representatives from:
CGU, the M6 Stage 1 delivery partner
NSW Department of Planning and Environment
NSW Environmental Protection Authority
An Air Quality Independent Reviewer
The committee meets up to four times a year commencing in November 2022 and continuing for a period of two years following the opening of the M6 Stage 1 to traffic in late 2025.
Meeting Documents
Read committee meeting notes and related documents
More information
Transport for NSW has designed an air quality portal to provide key information about air quality. Visit the air quality portal for more information.