Canterbury's clean air – Same targets, new approaches

Environment Canterbury is proposing a shift in approach to the way in which it achieves improved air quality throughout the region. The proposals will be consulted on as part of the annual planning process for 2011/12.

Commissioner David Bedford said that Environment Canterbury remained committed to achieving the national air quality standards and believes that the time is right for the organisation to consider undertaking a number of new initiatives that will target emission levels and improve public health across the region.

“There has been a significant improvement in Christchurch’s air quality over the past seven years. Given that success, it is time for us to revisit our strategies to ensure ongoing and continuous improvement in the region as a whole.

“Both the Clean Heat programme and the achievement of an operative air plan played a major role in achieving our goals, however a new approach is required as we shift the focus of the programme towards implementation of the air rules in Christchurch through education and enforcement.”

Mr Bedford said that Clean Heat projects will continue to operate in Ashburton, Kaiapoi, Rangiora and Timaru. A key focus of these projects will be a more collaborative approach taken between Environment Canterbury and local authorities to provide them with the necessary levels of support as they work to improve air quality in their towns.

The introduction of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s Warm-Up New Zealand programme means alternative sources of funding assistance were now available for homeowners wanting to convert to cleaner forms of home heating.

“The introduction of this package from central government means that Environment Canterbury no longer needs to use ratepayer money to initiate change and gain immediate improvements in Christchurch air quality,” said Mr Bedford. “By refocusing our budget priorities, not only can we focus on a region-wide approach to air but we can reprioritise our budgetary spending to tackle the region’s number one resource management challenge, water management, and minimise any increase in rates next year.”

The demand for Clean Heat assistance in Christchurch has dropped since the end of winter and many homes suffered chimney damage in the September earthquake. The Earthquake Commission is working with EECA to offer affected homeowners a choice of cleaner forms of heating instead of restoring their earthquake-damaged chimneys.

The Clean Heat Project in Christchurch was budgeted to cost $3.6M in the 2011/12 financial year.

“There is no denying the success of the Clean Heat programme in Christchurch and with that success has come an opportunity for us to reprioritise resources and undertake a new approach to achieving the objectives in our air plan,” said Mr Bedford.

A decade ago, Christchurch had between 30 and 50 high pollution nights each year. This year and last, there were just 13. More than 18,000 householders have received financial assistance to convert to cleaner heating and insulate their homes.

Wayne Holton-Jeffreys, Environment Canterbury acting director operations, said the proposed changes to Clean Heat in Christchurch will have an impact on staff. Options had been discussed over recent weeks and the seven affected staff have been given support to find alternative employment.

“We had already identified that we will need fewer staff in the New Year, partly because traditionally summer is a quiet period for Clean Heat, but also because of the earthquake,” said Mr Holton-Jeffreys.
“The demand for Clean Heat was strong earlier this year as people prepared for the ban on the use of open fires and older burners in Christchurch which came into effect for the first time on April 1. The ban will apply again next year but we do not anticipate the same demand for assistance ahead of 2011.”