Rangiora and Kaiapoi Variations Summary

Winter air pollution in Rangiora and Kaiapoi

During winter Rangiora and Kaiapoi have an air quality problem. Winter air pollution consists of particles smaller than 10 microns (PM₁₀), which represents a serious health risk and a nuisance for many people, and it needs to be addressed.

The Ministry for the Environment has set a standard of 50 μg/m³ over 24 hours, which should only be breached once every winter by 2013. Currently the standard is being exceeded between 17 and 40 times in the winter in Kaiapoi and between 6 and 14 times in the winter in Rangiora.

That’s why Environment Canterbury has prepared a plan: the Proposed Variation 11 (Rangiora) and Proposed Variation 12 (Kaiapoi) to Chapter 3: Air Quality of the Proposed Canterbury Natural Resources Regional Plan (Canterbury Air Plan). 

The proposed new rules

So what is Environment Canterbury proposing to do? The main cause of winter air pollution (more than 80%) is home heating by wood and coal. That is why most rules focus on restricting the use of woodburners and open fires.

On this page you will find a summary of the rules proposed for the Rangiora and Kaiapoi Clean Air Zones 1 and/or 2 (see maps) in addition to rules that were already proposed for this area in the Canterbury Air Plan, notified in 2002.

We need to set two Clean Air Zones for each town, because we need to be sure that smoke and other pollution does not drift from the surrounding rural area over the towns and cause the air quality readings for the towns to exceed the standard.

The future for home heating

Rules for woodburners and open fires in these Variations will apply to Rangiora and Kaiapoi Clean Air Zones 1 only!

What are we planning to do?

• From 1 January 2008, you are not allowed to install a woodburner in a new home, extension or home that does not have a woodburner or open fire now without a resource consent. You are allowed to install a complying pellet fire.

The following rules would come into effect when the key rules in the Variations are beyond any legal challenge:

• From 1 May 2010 or after the sale of the house, whichever comes first, you are not allowed to use an open fire without a resource consent.
• From 1 May 2010 or after the sale of the house, whichever comes first, you are not allowed to use a non-complying burner that was installed before 2001 without a resource consent.
• From 31 August 2013 or after the sale of the house, whichever comes first, you are not allowed to use a non-complying burner that was installed after 2001 without a resource consent.
• Complying burners cannot be used 15 years after installation without a resource consent.
• You can keep the appliances for use in emergency power outages only.

Find out about the rules for woodburners in Canterbury including Rangiora and Kaiapoi.

Find out about approved brands and models woodburners and pellet fires in Canterbury including Rangiora and Kaiapoi.

The future for outdoor burning

Although home heating is the main source of winter air pollution, outdoor burning is also a source of winter air pollution, and is a nuisance to neighbours.

What are we planning to do?

• Outdoor burning will be banned from 1 May to 31 September in Rangiora and Kaiapoi Clean Air Zones 1 and 2 without a resource consent. This rule would come into effect once the key rules in the Variations are beyond any legal challenge.

The future for the industrial and commercial sector (including schools, hospitals, etc.)

The industrial and commercial sector is also a source of winter air pollution.

What are we planning to do?

• Tighter emission criteria will apply for wood and coal fired boilers in Rangiora and Kaiapoi Clean Air Zones 1 and 2. These criteria apply from 27 October 2007 for new consents. For existing consents, these would come into effect once the key rules in the Variations are beyond any legal challenge.  

Subsidies for replacement heating

Interest-free loans for insulation and approved clean heating appliances are available through the Clean Heat Project to qualifying households who use an open fire, woodburner or other solid fuel burner as their main form of heating in their main living area.

Disclaimer

This website contains a summary of the rules in Variation 11 (Rangiora) and 12 (Kaiapoi) to Chapter 3 of the Proposed Canterbury Natural Resources Regional Plan and is intended as a guide only. You must refer to Variations 11 and 12 directly to make a submission.