Residents will be able to check air quality levels in real-time with Kempsey Shire Council trialling an air quality monitoring sensor in Kempsey.
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The PurpleAir sensor has been installed at Council's Civic Centre building on Elbow Street, West Kempsey.
The sensor measures and analyses airborne particulate matter, humidity and temperature levels.
This information is displayed on the PurpleAir website and available for the public to view free of charge.
Council's Coordinator Environmental Health, Jack Dickey, said Council decided to undertake a trial of one of the sensors when smoke during the bushfire emergency last year caused intermittent severe air pollution.
"Smoke and dust from the fires caused air pollution to reach hazardous levels across the Shire," Mr Dickey said.
"In light of this, air quality monitoring became a priority for Council.
"Having this information readily available is important for the community particularly for the young, the elderly and those who suffer from respiratory illnesses.
"The more informed people are helps them to plan ahead and determine whether or not it is safe or unsafe for them to be outside."
Mr Dickey said Council is currently investigating the installation of two additional sensors in the upper Macleay area.
Council encourages the community to take advantage of the free air quality data for the Kempsey area which is easily accessible online via an interactive map.
The data can be found by going to the PurpleAir website and searching for Kempsey: ww.purpleair.com/map
