LAKE Macquarie councillors have voted in favour of making a contribution to a senate inquiry into the impacts on health of air quality in Australia.
Last week a council report revealed that Lake Macquarie has the state's highest oxides of nitrogen pollution levels, the second highest sulphur dioxide emissions, and the fourth highest particle matter emissions.
Current estimates calculate the cost of air pollution across Lake Macquarie, in terms of morbidity and mortality, to be almost $70 million per annum.
At last week's council meeting, Lake Macquarie councillors voted to submit a report to the senate inquiry and address the gaps in the management of air pollution at local, state and federal government levels.
The council wants more studies into the health impacts and costs to communities from air pollution.
It also wants national regulatory standards for air quality modelling and monitoring, and more air quality monitoring systems between Newcastle and Sydney.
Lake Macquarie hosts a number of air pollution sources, including two coal-fired power stations, 11 mining operations and a high dependency on motor vehicles.
Councillor Ken Paxinos said the council should go one step further with the report and "add more meat" to the submission.
He said he wanted more action on reducing air pollution, and not just monitors to test it.
Lake Macquarie mayor Jodie Harrison said it was not just up to local industries to be aware of emissions, but residents too.
She said motor vehicle emissions were also a major contributor to Lake Macquarie's pollution levels.