Education approach to air plan rules this winter

Environment Southland councillors endorsed an educational approach to the proposed air quality plan rules at this morning’s council meeting (20/5/2015).

The proposed rules affect home heating in the Invercargill and Gore airsheds, restricting both the materials that can be burned and the types of heating appliances that can be used.

With the onset of cooler weather the council has been receiving enquiries about the proposed rules, which were notified in September 2014 and have a staged implementation.

More than 800 hundred submissions were received on the regional air plan review and the proposed rules, with hearings scheduled to be held in Gore and Invercargill in June.

Given the change in the season, Councillors decided that the best approach for Environment Southland was to focus on education until the process was complete and the final version of the rules became operative.

Deputy chairman Nicol Horrell described the approach as prudent. “Moving forward, education-first is a good policy,” he said.

Up to date information on air quality and the air plan review is available online at www.BreatheEasySouthland.co.nz

A brochure entitled, Warm up Wisely: Getting the best out of your wood burner is also available online or from Environment Southland.

ENDS

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