Big response to air plan submissions - Gore

Hundreds of submissions have been received on the air plan review and proposed rules to help improve Southland’s air quality.

Submissions closed at 5pm on Monday 3 November and they have come in a variety of formats, with many people making several submissions on multiple points of the proposed rules.

Staff are now collating all the submissions and the final number of submitters won’t be known until later in the week. However, indications are that most submissions are from individuals and a fair proportion of them are Gore residents.

Director of Policy, Planning and Regulatory Services Vin Smith says he is particularly pleased with the level of interest shown by Gore residents around air quality.

“We recognise this is a difficult and challenging issue for the community and are pleased Gore residents have been so proactive in helping the council find the right path forward.”

Environment Southland is legally required to address air quality problems to meet the Government’s health-inspired National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NES). Smoke from home chimneys is the major cause of air pollution in the built-up areas of Invercargill and Gore, particularly during the winter months.

The scale of change for the Gore airshed is significantly different than that required for Invercargill to meet the NES, with Gore much closer to meeting the standards and Mr Smith says this will be taken into account during the hearing process.

The proposed rules came into effect on 6 September and affect what burners can be used for home heating, what can and can’t be burned as fuel, and restrictions for outdoor burning. However, these rules could change as a result of the submissions.

“It is important to remember that these rules are still only proposed and the submissions received will definitely influence the final nature and form of the rules,” said Mr Smith.

“It is not a done deal and we will be listening to what the community has to say.”

It is anticipated that hearings will be held early in the second quarter of 2015, with decisions expected in July/August.

ENDS

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