The Otago Regional Council said a controlled fire last week in the Hawea area may have caused health impacts in the community and also meant primary school children had to remain inside because of the level of smoke pollution.
Council manager compliance Tami Sargeant said people undertaking outdoor burn-offs where smoke crossed their property boundary had plenty of notice such activities breached air plan regulations.
“We have no tolerance for outdoor burning that breaches regional plan rules. We’re putting the call out there for anyone who wishes to conduct an outdoor burn-off to apply some good old-fashioned consideration for others in their community before lighting any fires.’’
The council understood there was a need for some rural properties to undertake a controlled burn-off, however, property owners needed to remember the community breathed what they burnt, Mrs Sargeant said.
“Please ensure that what you’re burning, and the size of your burn-off means the smoke won’t cause a nuisance to your neighbours and community.”
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"Council chastises burners" : seemingly since ages...and as ever,ineffectually.
2014
https://www.orc.govt.nz/news-and-events/news-and-media-releases/2014/may....
A particulate problem from farms (high and low country),lifestyle blockers,orchards etc ; who literally dont give a stuff about the damage they cause even when the "controlled" burn...becomes "out of control" : (
Maybe now that school pupils were forced indoors the ORC who "may take enforcement action" .....WILL !
The property developers in Lake Hawea have huge slash piles so this is not the end of it. If it blows from the south Hawea township gets covered in smoke, if the wind comes from the north the school is covered. The rules need to be enforced and the public must be notified prior to the fires being started. Watch this space as there is going to be a lot more smoke coming to Hawea soon.