Clean Heat on track for Kaiapoi and Rangiora

Kaiapoi and Rangiora experienced fewer high air pollution nights this year than previous years – a fact that can be attributed to cloudy evenings, fewer frosts and windier weather.

Nineteen high pollution nights were recorded in Kaiapoi during the winter period stretching from May 1 to August 31. That compares well with last year when 28 high pollution nights were recorded during this period. In other years the number of high pollution nights was between 17 and 35.

Rangiora is also well down on the number of high pollution readings, with only five high readings this year, compared to 15 last year. In other years the number varied between six and ten.

Both towns had their maximum concentrations on July 28: Kaiapoi on 103 and Rangiora on 106.

All open fires and non-compliant woodburners need to be replaced with cleaner forms of heating in Rangiora and Kaiapoi to meet the 2013 national clean air target. This will involve around 2,300 appliances and open fires in Rangiora (about half the total number of households) and about 1,300 appliances and open fires in Kaiapoi (a third of total households).

Environment Canterbury director operations, Ken Lawn says the two advisory committees (the policy advisory group and the community advisory group) formed jointly between Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council, have started to map out a way ahead. “We have really moved forward in the last few months and have now agreed on proposed rules to reduce air pollution in the two towns, subject to public consultation. We have also explored some Clean Heat assistance schemes that could be afforded by the community, with some potential Central Government funding assistance.”

Ken Lawn says there is also a good level of buy-in from the community. “Our Clean Heat store, which was open in Kaiapoi during the winter months, provided homeowners with up-to-date information on pollution recordings in their towns and offered in-store demonstrations of heat pumps, pellet fires and a flued gas appliance. That certainly puts the education process on a roll so that people can make their own decisions about clean heat options.”

Kaiapoi and Rangiora people have received $100,000 from Environment Canterbury towards an education and marketing campaign. Details are available on www.ecan.govt.nz/air