Monday 5 December 2005
Joining forces to improve air quality in Rotorua For immediate release:
Rotorua people will be urged to join forces with Environment Bay of Plenty to improve air quality in the city over the
next eight years.
Rotorua’s urban area was recently declared a Local Air Management Area after failing to meet new national standards set
by the Ministry for the Environment. The standards are based on levels of particulate matter, the very small particles
suspended in air. Particulate matter (PM10) is generally created by poor combustion in vehicles and by wood-burning
fires. High levels can have serious health effects, including respiratory problems.
Because of the classification, the regional council has to find ways to reduce levels of particulate matter to the
required standard by 2013.
Environment Bay of Plenty’s group manager regulation and resource management Paul Dell says a working party will be set
up to give the local community a voice on the issue. It will include representatives from community groups, iwi, the
industrial sector and Rotorua District Council.
“It is imperative that we involve the community because the solutions will impact on them.” Mr Dell says.
In parallel with the working party, Environment Bay of Plenty will launch a number of scientific investigations. A key
focus will be to understand more about the source of the problem. “The source is likely to be a combination of factors
such as home heating, backyard burning, industry and motor vehicles. We need to find out exactly which ones have the
most impact.”
ENDS