Rules to reduce air pollution in Ashburton have been approved by Environment Canterbury councillors. The new rules take effect from May 1, 2011.
They are aimed at improving air quality and meeting the health-based National Environmental Standard. Winter air pollution causes or exacerbates serious health problems, particularly for the young, the old and people with breathing disorders. In Ashburton, 87% of winter pollution is caused by home heating.
Following the submissions process last year, a hearings panel comprising regional councillors Angus McKay and Ross Little and Ashburton District councillor Robin Kilworth made recommendations to Environment Canterbury.
The rules, which will take effect from May 1, 2011 include:
• The establishment of two Clean Air Zones for Ashburton, with Zone 1 to include the current and predicted urban area, and Zone 2 providing a “buffer” around the town.
• Application of the National Environmental Standard for air quality, meaning that the 50 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3) limit for PM10 can only be exceeded once each year from 2013.
• A specified reduction in air pollution caused by home heating, to be achieved through a range of methods, such as
o preventing the use of open fires or older enclosed burners in Clean Air Zone 1, except in emergency power cut situations.
o preventing new burners, other than ultra low-emission pellet fires, from being installed in homes which don’t have solid fuel burners.
• Limiting the overall increase in emissions allowed from other sources such as outdoor burning and large-scale solid fuel burners.
Environment Canterbury Rakaia Cr Angus McKay says that changes were made to the proposed rules. For example, people with category B heritage homes as listed in the Ashburton District Plan would be able to continue using their open fire or older burner.
“Around half the 6000 households in Ashburton will need to change to cleaner forms of heating. Help is available from ECan’s Clean Heat Project which offers an interest-free loan or alternatively a generous subsidy scheme for householders, landlords and tenants reliant upon log burners 15 years old or more, or open fires. “
The new Ashburton air plan rules will be notified on July 10, 2009, with a public notice in newspapers and a copy to all submitters. Copies will also be available at libraries. There is then a 30-day appeal period for those original submitters.
For more information: ECan Cr Angus McKay 0274 345513. For Air Quality and the new rules for Ashburton, go to www.ecan.govt.nz/OurEnvironment/Air For Clean Heat Project, www.cleanheat.co.nz or call 0800 32 9276.