Hunter environment groups have criticised the NSW clean air draft strategy for failing to provide new solutions for improving the region's air quality.
The draft strategy outlines a whole of government approach for improving air quality and minimising adverse effects on human health.
Its priorities include better preparedness for pollution events, cleaner industry, cleaner transport, engines and fuels, healthier households and better places.
But environment groups argue the draft repeats the same findings about coal mining and air pollution in the Hunter that were canvased in a discussion paper five years ago.
"The Government's own data clearly shows the Upper Hunter in particular is suffering from particulate pollution and that coal mining is the chief human created source of this pollution," Lock the Gate Alliance NSW spokesperson Georgina Woods said.
"Reducing impacts from coal mining is among the priorities highlighted in this strategy, but no specific new actions are proposed.
"We're still holding our breath waiting for the NSW Government to actually introduce pointed regulation that will alleviate pollution."
Environmental Justice Australia lawyer Jocelyn McGarity described the draft document as disappointing.
"The draft clean air strategy does not contain firm commitments with measurable deadlines for delivery," she said.
"It's heavy on buzzword statements that suggest the government is "developing" or "reviewing" or will "work to" and "explore" achieving certain things. These statements lack detail, are non-committal and do not provide certainty to the community that firm actions have been created that will be carried through.
"It is dumbfounding that the government has spent five years developing a 'strategy' to reduce pollution and protect community health that merely maintains the status quo."
