The new monitors at north-west Singleton, Bulga, Camberwell and Mount Thorley are in addition to sites at Singleton, Muswellbrook and Maison Dieu.

‘‘We now have seven sites providing reliable real-time data on air quality in the Upper Hunter region and we are on target to have all 14 sites operating by the end of 2011,’’ state Environment Minister Robyn Parker said.

Upgrades to the Regional Air Quality Index have also been completed. The index provides industry, government and the community with access to real-time data transmitted to the network sites.

It features a new map-based webpage that will present hourly wind speed and direction data together with particle data.

The Upper Hunter Air Quality Monitoring Network will hold a community information session at Muswellbrook Council Chambers tonight between 6 o’clock and 8 o’clock.