Environment Canterbury puts warm homes ahead of clean air rules in earthquake affected areas

While cleaner air for Christchurch remains a desirable outcome for the city, the extraordinary circumstances facing the city this winter means keeping warm, using whatever heating is necessary, is more important, Environment Canterbury Director Resource Management Kim Drummond says.

Mr Drummond said the organisation understood that many people were facing very difficult situations at home, and the last thing they need to worry about is whether their home heating complies with Christchurch’s clean air rules.

“We are enabling people to put their health and comfort at home first, as we will be taking a very pragmatic approach to the clean air rules this year.

“In the wake of the earthquake, we will be very sensitive to individual circumstances. We know that many people are living under difficult and unusual conditions and will have to make the best of whatever heating is available to them.

“People may still make complaints to us about smoky chimneys and we will of course respond but we will use our judgement and tact when working with people in these situations.

“Our approach will be to work with people to address their concerns. People should call us if they are in any way worried about their circumstances this winter.”

Clean air rules apply from 1 April to 30 September in Christchurch and apply all year round in Kaiapoi. “We will be taking a similar approach with residents in both centres,” Mr Drummond says.

“We do ask that people check their heating before they use it for safety reasons. For example, you may need to get a professional to check that your chimney or flue is safe to use. You can get more advice on home heating safety at www.fire.org.nz .”