Auckland Council is currently consulting on a draft bylaw that sets out rules for how Aucklanders can use their indoor domestic fires.
http://www.shapeauckland.co.nz/consultations/draft-air-quality-bylaw-for-indoor-domestic-fires/
The purpose of the draft Air Quality Bylaw for Indoor Domestic Fires is to re-establish the rules that were in the former Auckland Council Regional Plan: Air, Land and Water (‘the Regional Plan’), which have now expired.
Like the old Regional Plan, the new draft bylaw states that you cannot burn wet wood, tanalised wood and high-sulphur coal. These rules would apply to all of Auckland.
Urban and rural fireplace standards
The old Regional Plan had specified standards for the installation of new indoor domestic fireplaces.
When properties in the ‘urban air quality management’ area installed a new indoor domestic fireplace they had to comply with these specific standards in the Regional Plan.
The new draft bylaw proposes to:
- re-establish these specific standards for properties in the urban air quality area
- update the spatial areas to be considered as an ‘urban air quality management area’, so as to more accurately reflect Auckland’s urban form today.
The specific standards would only apply to the installation of new indoor domestic fireplaces. It would not apply to existing fireplaces.
Waitakere foothills and Waitakere Ranges
Some parts of the Bethells Beach, Henderson Valley, Oratia, Swanson and Waiatarua were included in the urban air quality management area under the old Regional Plan. The new draft bylaw will continue to consider these areas as urban air quality management areas.
Have your say
The council welcomes your feedback on this proposal.
The submission period is between the 27 February to the 27 of March, 5pm.
You can read the draft bylaw and make a submission online at www.shapeauckland.ac.nz , or by visiting your local library or service centre. Alternatively, please call Auckland Council at 301 0101 to request a copy of the proposal.