Regional Plan: Air for Otago
The Regional Plan: Air for Otago (the Air Plan) assists us in managing Otago's air resource. Find out about the Plan and how to get a copy.
If you want to carry out an activity that discharges contaminants to air, you must comply with the rules in the Air Plan.
On this page
Purpose of the Plan
Regional plan preparation is optional under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), except for the preparation of regional coast plans. We decided to prepare the Air Plan to assist us in carrying out our functions under the RMA. The purpose of the Air Plan is to promote the sustainable management of Otago's air resource. To achieve this, the Air Plan has policies and methods (which include rules) to address the air quality issues facing Otago.
Back to top of page
Area covered by the Plan
The Air Plan covers the entire Otago region, including Otago's coastal marine area.
Status of the Plan including changes
This Council publicly notified the Air Plan on 28 February 1998. Following the process of submissions, hearings and appeals, Council made the Air Plan operative on 1 January 2003. The Air Plan is due for full review on 1 January 2013. The table below lists changes to the Air Plan since it was made operative.
|
Key Event |
Date Notified |
Date Decision Released |
Date Operative |
|
Regional Plan: Air |
28 February 1998 |
30 June 2001 |
1 January 2003 |
|
Plan Change 1 (Fire Service Training) |
17 December 2005 |
29 March 2006 |
10 April 2006 |
|
Plan Change 2 (National Environmental Standards) |
14 April 2007 |
12 December 2007 |
1 January 2009 |
Back to top of page
Why you should read the Plan
If you're thinking of carrying out an activity in Otago that discharges contaminants (such as smoke, odour or dust) to air, you should read the rules in the Air Plan to see:
- If you can carry it out as a permitted activity,
- If you require a resource consent to carry it out, or
- If you cannot carry it out because it's a prohibited activity.
A resource consent is required for any activity the Air Plan states as being a discretionary activity.
The Air Plan does not apply to the discharge of contaminants to air associated with the normal operation of ships within the coastal marine area. Such discharges are controlled by the Resource Management (Marine Pollution) Regulations 1998, rather than the Air or Coast Plans. However, the Air Plan does apply to the discharge of contaminants to air from abrasive blasting, spray painting and conveying of bulk materials.
>> Read about the Coast Plan
The Air Plan does not control the discharge of contaminants to air associated with the activities controlled by the Waste Plan.
>> Read about the Waste Plan
Back to top of page
Download
The Regional Plan: Air for Otago is split into print quality chapters for more convenient downloading. You can also download the Plan as a single document in a lower resolution for faster downloading. All files are PDF.
Regional Plan: Air for Otago, complete  (14.0 MB)
Regional Plan: Air for Otago, without maps (1.0 MB)
Individual Chapters and Maps:
|
Preface |
(1.3 MB) |
|
1. Introduction |
(1.4 MB) |
|
2. Otago's Air Quality Issues |
(0.5 MB) |
|
3. Objectives and Policies |
(1.0 MB) |
|
4. Rules |
(1.0 MB) |
|
5. Methods Other Than Rules |
(1.3 MB) |
|
6. Anticipated Environmental Results |
(0.5 MB) |
|
7. Cross Boundary Issues |
(0.6 MB) |
|
8. Monitoring and Review |
(1.0 MB) |
|
Schedule 1 - Regional Ambient Air
Quality Guidelines
|
(1.5 MB) |
|
Schedule 2 - Maps Showing Air Zone
Boundaries
|
|
Overview of Air Zones, also showing Air Zone 3 |
(0.2 MB) |
| Air Zone 1 |
| Queenstown Lakes District |
|
Arrowtown |
(0.3 MB) |
| Central Otago District |
|
|
Cromwell |
(0.3 MB) |
|
Clyde |
(0.3 MB) |
|
Alexandra |
(0.4 MB) |
| Air Zone 2 |
| Queenstown Lakes District |
|
Hawea |
(0.3 MB) |
|
Wanaka |
(0.4 MB) |
|
Queenstown |
(0.6 MB) |
|
Kingston |
(0.4 MB) |
| Central Otago District |
|
Naseby |
(0.3 MB) |
|
Ranfurly |
(0.3 MB) |
|
Roxburgh |
(0.3 MB) |
| Waitaki District |
|
Oamaru |
(0.9 MB) |
|
Palmerston |
(0.3 MB) |
| Dunedin City |
|
Waikouaiti |
(0.3 MB) |
|
Port Chalmers |
(0.7 MB) |
|
North Dunedin |
(0.5 MB) |
|
Central Dunedin |
(1.9 MB) |
|
South Dunedin |
(1.0 MB) |
|
Green Island |
(0.7 MB) |
|
Mosgiel |
(0.9 MB) |
| Clutha District |
|
Milton |
(0.4 MB) |
|
Balclutha |
(0.4 MB) |
|
Schedule 3 - Hazardous Air Contaminants |
(0.4 MB) |
Schedule 4 - Good Management Practices for
Agrichemical Application |
(0.2 MB) |
Schedule 5 - Good Management Practices to
Prevent or Minimise the Discharge of Smoke
from Burning Vegetation |
(0.2 MB) |
Schedule 6 - Setting Chimney Heights for
Industrial or Trade Processes |
(0.2 MB) |
Schedule 7 - Standard Dispersion Modelling
Procedure |
(0.2 MB) |
| Glossary |
(0.6 MB) |
Guide to domestic heating appliances
The following gives a guide to the status of existing domestic heating appliances in each Air Zone and states what domestic heating appliances you can install in a building in each Air Zone.
Status of existing domestic heating appliances
A flow chart has been prepared to enable you to determine what restrictions apply to using your existing domestic heating appliance.
>> Download a guide to the rules for discharges from domestic heating appliances in Otago (62 kb)
Installation of domestic heating appliances
Follow the installation guide to determine what domestic heating appliances you can install
>> Download the installation guide (100 kb)
People who wish to find a woodburner or pellet fire that has an emission standard of less than1.5 g/kg and thermal efficiency of 65% or more, need to look at the Ministry for the Environment's authorised burner lists.
>> See MfE's lists
People who wish to install another type of domestic hearing appliance that has an emission standard of less than 1.5 g/kg and thermal efficiency of 65% or more, need to look at Otago Regional Council's approved burner list.
>> See ORC's approved burner list
What happens if the domestic heating appliance I want to install is not on the MfE or ORC lists?
- The lists may not identify all appliances that meet the emission and thermal efficiency standards. Some which meet the relevant standard may have become available since the information was compiled.
- If you are unsure what the emission or thermal efficiency standards of an appliance are, most manufacturers and distributors are happy to advise of them on receipt of an appliance's serial number.
- If you find a model of domestic heating appliance that is not on a list, but does meet the emission and thermal efficiency standards, please contact us or the Ministry for the Environment, so the manufacturer or distributor can verify its performance and have it included on the relevant list.
- Earlier models of an appliance on an approved list may exist, but they may not meet the emission and thermal efficiency standards. Care should be taken when buying second-hand appliances as they may no longer meet the emission and thermal efficiency standards.
- Untested appliances, appliances not tested using a procedure recognised by the Air Plan, or any appliances tested and approved, but subsequently modified, are prohibited. This includes any appliances that have had air controls interfered with.
Burning Outdoors
>> Read about Burning Outdoors
Order a printed copy
Order the plan by phone or email. There is no cost for copies of the Air Plan.
>> View contact details
>> Order by email - use 'Publication request' as your subject |
