# Upper Hunter air quality and coal mining dust concerns > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/upper-hunter-air-quality-and-coal-mining-dust-concerns > Updated: 2026-09-29T06:31:14.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. Residents in the Upper Hunter region are demanding health checks and increased regulation following a high frequency of air quality alerts. By early September, the Upper Hunter Air Quality Network had issued its 200th alert of the year, indicating elevated PM10 or dust levels across 14 monitors. Community members, including mining veteran Kevin Waldock, have criticized current government regulations for failing to curb pollution from open-cut coal mines. Waldock has proposed reducing the height of overburden dumps from 190m to 20-30m to mitigate dust dispersion, citing similar regulations in the United States. In late September, the region recorded 65 air quality alerts, with a significant cluster of pollution visible between September 15 and 21. While the monitoring network is operated by the NSW Department of Environment and Heritage in partnership with local coal and power industries, residents have expressed frustration over perceived inaction. In response, Waldock has installed signage along Putty Road to encourage citizens to report visible dust plumes to the NSW Environment Protection Authority. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-29: Upper Hunter air quality alerts spark calls for health study The Upper Hunter region issued 65 air quality alerts in September due to high dust levels, prompting local calls for better regulation and health studies regarding coal mining pollution. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/upper-hunter-air-quality-alerts-spark-calls-for-health-study ### 2026-09-03: Upper Hunter air quality alerts reach 200th milestone this year The Upper Hunter Air Quality Network has issued its 200th alert this year, prompting calls for health checks as residents protest rising dust levels from local open-cut coal mines. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/upper-hunter-air-quality-alerts-reach-200th-milestone-this-year --- Cite as: Upper Hunter air quality and coal mining dust concerns. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/upper-hunter-air-quality-and-coal-mining-dust-concerns