The feedback from Gore residents to proposed new rules for home heating could drive changes to Southland's air plan, Environment Southland's director of policy, planning and regulatory services Vin Smith said.
The proposed new rules for improved air quality in Southland have drawn hundreds of submissions, with many coming from Gore, an Environment Southland press release said.
''We recognise this is a difficult and challenging issue for the community and are pleased Gore residents have been so proactive in helping the council find the right path forward,'' Mr Smith said.
Mr Smith said Gore was much closer than Invercargill to meeting the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality, which would be taken into account during the hearing process.
Gore has exceeded national standards for PM10 emissions only once this year.
Invercargill has already exceeded the limit 13 times. Some of the proposed rules came into effect on September 6, such as banning the installation of ''non-approved'' wood burners and burning chemically treated timber.
From January 1, 2015, wet wood, or wood that has been stored incorrectly, and high-sulphur coal, like that produced at Kaitangata, cannot be burnt.
From January 1, 2016, old-style burners will be banned, and from the following September, open fires in Gore and Invercargill would also be banned.
Gore District Council's submission said there had not been enough consideration given to the cost to Gore residents of changing the rules, and the council submission requested a longer time frame for Gore residents to make changes.
Mr Smith said the rules were ''not a done deal'' and could be changed.
Submissions closed on Monday this week.
