Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Otago council eyes air quality standards

Otago residents are being encouraged to give their feedback on how to best manage air quality, with 17 Otago Regional Council drop-in sessions to kick off at the end of the month.

Council Scientist, Air Quality, Sarah Harrison says while Otago’s air quality has generally improved over the past 20 years, there is still more to do to meet the National Environmental Standard for Air Quality.

“Our monitoring and research show the main cause of Otago’s air pollution is from solid fuel burners used in home heating, but there are other sources including rural outdoor burning, industrial and vehicle emissions,” Ms Harrison said.

Between 29 July and 22 August, there will be 17 in-person sessions at 11 locations across Otago, plus two online sessions. Feedback can also be provided online.

“We’re encouraging people from all around Otago to either come to a session or join us on-line to give their feedback on air quality,” she says.

Ms Harrison says the key pollutant in Otago, particulate matter, mostly comes from home heating emissions. 

“Air quality can be especially poor in parts of Otago because of the unique climate and landscape. We can have very cold winters and the geography and atmospheric conditions often act to trap pollution at ground level,” she says.

Given a warm home is vital during Otago’s cold winters, burning wood or coal is the most economical way to keep warm, but not all fuels and burners are created equal, causing variability of emissions.

“The types of fuels and burner technology people use have a huge influence on air quality, as do the way they are operated.”

An ORC air monitoring station in Arrowtown.

The other three main areas of concern are outdoor burning, vehicle emissions and industrial emissions. Odour, dust, and agricultural spraying are other air pollutants that may impact some Otago residents.

“If people are seeing or feeling the effect of any of these, we want to know about them, so we can better manage air quality and consider what education, alternatives or mitigations could be put in place, to support rules in any plans.”

Ms Harrison said that at this time of year, corresponding with natural inversion layers, towns such as Alexandra, Cromwell and Arrowtown and some Dunedin suburbs can sometimes see an increase in pollutants from home heating smoke being “trapped” within the inversion layer.

In another example of seasonal air quality issues, she notes that within the last two months, outdoor burning incidents have generated more than 50 complaints to Council, prompting staff to make 18 ‘educational visits’, plus other follow-up actions. 

General Manager Planning and Transport, Anita Dawe, says, “ORC’s Regional Plan: Air is now due for review, so this is a good time to also refresh ORC’s wider strategy, which includes the Plan and other actions aimed at improving air quality.” 

A recent outdoor burn in Central Otago attracting ORC attention.
A recent outdoor burn in Central Otago attracting ORC attention

Council will visit communities throughout Otago in late July and August to discuss air quality.

Give your feedback on Otago’s air.

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