A report to the meeting from parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey said the Otago Regional Council was reorganising its air-quality network in Alexandra and seeking a lease to install an air-quality monitoring station in Table Park Reserve, in Ashworth St.
The ORC was required to monitor the ambient air quality in the greater Alexandra urban area. Its current site in Ventry St did not meet national requirements.
The council proposed creating a fenced compound of at least 6m x 6m in the middle of the park. It would contain a cabinet nearly 2m high and wide. There would also be two 1.6m-high filter samplers and a 6m-high mast to measure wind and temperature.
At its meeting in March, the Vincent Community Board recommended the council publicly notify its intention to lease land to the ORC for the monitoring station.
Mr Bailey’s report said the monitoring station did not fit comfortably within the Reserves Act as the proposal was not a recreational activity.
When asked if there was another site, not on a reserve, that could be used, the ORC advised there was nothing as suitable.
The community board agreed air monitoring would enhance the region’s knowledge of the air quality and ultimately might help in generating positive environmental and health outcomes.
On Wednesday, the council would decide either to reject the ORC request or publicly notify its intention to lease the reserve for the monitoring station.
Any public submissions would be heard by the community board, which would make a recommendation to the council.
