MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, 9 May 2013

Environment Canterbury welcomes Minister Brownlee’s decision

Environment Canterbury Commissioner David Bedford says the Minister’s decision yesterday to use his special powers to allow changes to Christchurch’s Air Plan will help protect Christchurch’s air quality both now and in the future.

The Minister used section 27of the CER Act to both redefine some of the region’s Clean Air Zones and to allow ultra-low emissions burners to be installed in new homes.

“We know that Christchurch people want to be able to burn wood as it is a good sustainable form of home heating. Changing the air plan rules will incentivise the home heating industry to develop technology to produce burners which have so few emissions they can be put into new homes without compromising air quality.

“There some promising prototypes for these burners and we have developed a set of standards which are now available to the home heating industry. We welcome the Minister’s decision to fast-track this change and help make this technology happen.’’

Mr Bedford says the realignment of Clean Air Zones to reflect new areas of growth after the earthquakes will also help protect air quality across the city.

“Patterns of development across greater Christchurch have changed in the past few years and there is a trend for new residential areas on the outskirts of the city. Adjusting the Clean Air Zones to reflect these residential developments ensures there are no inequalities around installing wood burners in new homes.

Under Christchurch’s Air Plan since 2002, wood burners have not been permitted in new homes in Clean Air Zone 1. While this will change when ultra-low emission burners are developed, Mr Bedford says it is important to ensure all homeowners are bound by the same rules.

ends

© Scoop Media