Regulations for both industry and motor vehicles have proven to be successful endeavors in Sydney where, even though the population has risen and people are driving further than ever before, the air quality has seen a marked improvement. Nevertheless, they are trying to not become too comfortable as they feel there are some areas, particularly in the mining industry, where further regulations would improve the city's air even more. 

Air emissions in the Sydney basin have steadily declined since 1992, according to research released on Friday by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

The study, which looked at more than 850 air pollutants in NSW, has found ozone forming nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds fell by 28 per cent and 42 per cent respectively.

In the same 1992-2008 period, the population grew by 18 per cent while vehicle kilometres travelled were up 26 per cent.

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