28 July 2024, 5:00 PM
Members of the public are being encouraged to provide feedback on how to best manage the region’s air quality, with 17 drop-in sessions across Otago starting at the end of the month.
While Otago’s air quality has improved over the past 20 years, there is still more to do to meet the National Environmental Standard for Air Quality, Otago Regional Council (ORC) air quality scientist Sarah Harrison said.
“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,” she said.
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, Sarah said.
Air quality can be especially poor in parts of Otago because of the unique climate and landscape, she added.
“We can have very cold winters and the geography and atmospheric conditions often act to trap pollution at ground level.”
Odour, dust, and agricultural spraying are other air pollutants which may affect some Otago residents, Sarah said.
“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.”
The Wānaka drop-in sessions on air quality will take place on August 20 at the Wānaka Recreation Centre, the first from 12pm-2pm and the second from 4pm-7pm.
Other drop-in sessions across Otago will run between July 29 and August 22.
Anyone who cannot attend an in-person event can also make an online submission here.
PHOTO: Wānaka App