Air Quality Strategy for Otago

  We have developed the air quality strategy to:

  Ensure that ORC has a coherent approach to achieve identified outcomes in our
  work programmes.

 Download the Air Quality Strategy

What is the difference between the air quality strategy and the air plan?

The air quality strategy sets out the overall approach ORC will take to achieve air quality for good human health. It provides a reference point and key directions to inform ORC's work programme for air quality.

The Regional Plan: Air (air plan) sets out rules for activities that might affect air quality, such as discharges from domestic properties/industry, dust, odour, chemical sprays, outdoor burning and transport emissions.

Why has ORC developed an air quality strategy?

Air quality is important to everyone. Pollutants released into the air can cause unpleasant smells and poor visibility, and affect our health in many ways. Air pollution can come from many sources, both natural and human-made. Research has shown us that once inhaled, air pollutants can adversely affect our health, particularly if you are elderly, very young or have an existing respiratory condition.

In Otago we enjoy very good quality air for most of the year. Chimney emissions peak in winter, when we burn wood or coal for home heating. As a result, our ambient (or outdoor) air quality is often degraded, particularly in areas like Alexandra, Arrowtown, Clyde, Cromwell, Milton and Mosgiel.

Ten years ago ORC developed its first air quality strategy aimed at meeting the national air quality standards. Since then our communities have worked to reduce emissions in the towns with air quality problems. Despite this, emissions have not reduced enough to meet the national standards or the World Health Organisation standards for human health.

The current strategy revisits our approach to managing air quality to make sure that we address the issues and our region's air is safe to breathe by anyone at any time.

How was the strategy developed?

The strategy was developed with input and feedback from the public and key interested parties, including the region's city and district councils, the Southern District Health Board, and iwi.

This is the timeline for the development of the strategy:

Air Quality Strategy