Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter
Send news

News tags

mental health  physical activity  earthquake  vacancies  families  public health  children  funding  poverty  health determinants  social  Community development  planning  employment  healthy cities  volunteers  newsletter  youth  volunteering  nutrition  employment opportunity  housing  alcohol and drugs  maori  community engagement  rebuilding  wellbeing  disabilities  Lectures  counselling  Training  earthquake recovery  sustainability  event  community gardens  Community  seminar  Awards  stress  Community Groups  mens health  research  arts  smokefree  culture  men  exercise  migrants  community event  education  environment  resilience  human rights  health  medical  business  sport  conferences  survey  mental wellbeing  Courses  obesity  elderly  support group  environmental health  healthy food  health promotion  violence  pacific health  resources  rebuild  women  race relations  meeting  gardens  workshop  services  leadership  forum  water  disabled  repair  transport  prevention  pacific  dance  fundraising  asian health  sexual health  inequality  cancer  support  disasters  development  mindfulness  dementia  presentation  collaboration  health in all policies  data analysis  recovery  smoking  law  drugs and alcohol  technology  safety  cycling  Sleep  policy  parenting  media  hearing  walking  land  neighbours  social justice  qualification  resilient cities  information  community connection  consultation  oral health  bullying  depression  youth empowerment  young people  activities  non-profit  charity  harm  NURSES  addiction  disease  Communication  alcohol  symposium  submission  anxiety  accessibility  Relationships  eating  economics  Advocacy  eLearning  falls  parking  energy  efficiency  heating  insulation  advice  Eating Disorders  abuse  waste  Matariki  webinar  diabetes  workplace  Film  Climate Change  solutions  urban  management  economy  plan  restoration  Report  Vulnerability  welfare  parks  learning  awareness  emergencies  legislation  injury prevention  reading  Meeting Room  conservation  language  refugees  recreation  built environment  data  venue  urban design  Food  older people  finances  suicide  heritage  gender  recycling  breastfeeding  public  identity  Nursing  submissions  Rainbow  biodiversity  campaign  promotion  Gut Health  diversity  therapy  older adults  sexuality  computing  pollution  School Holidays  Arts Therapy  providers  gambling  Maori health  Cervical cancer  screening  trauma  autism  Governance  treaty of waitangi  care  mentoring  pets  relaxation  Professional Development  pornography  exhibition  history  discrimination  vaping  equity  lockdown  grief  rural  hygiene  participation  tourism  summer  intervention  warning  podcast  science  petition  swimming  roadworks  traffic  wildlife  beaches  pools  immunisation  vaccination  brain  preparation  open day  market  evaluation  noise  music  property  testing  crafts  CALD  cultural diversity  camping  creativity  child health  tamariki  climate action  Pasifika  refugee  migrant  community events  road safety  library  Hornby  skills  placemaking  regenerative communities  journey  reflection  regional council  councillors  water management  emergency management  retirement  stress management  Christmas  family  festival  alcohol harm  waterways  planting  health protection  legionnaire's disease  hepatitis  heatwaves  river beds  water safety  fishing  gardening  workshops  stormwater  biosecurity  volunteer  plant and animal pest management  politics  faith  crime  drugs  pregnancy  native birds  Waimakariri  water quality  schools  early childhood  health professionals  heart disease  kura  school  ethical issues  rangatahi  Linwood  running  donations  whanau  financial pressures  online  health professional  flooding  conflict  peace  winter  agriculture 

North Canterbury residents want dirty burning to stop

Wednesday, July 17, 2024   Posted in: Signatory Notice Board By: Administrator With tags: pollution, winter, health, environment

Environment Canterbury media release: 17th July 2024

Residents in the Oxford/Cust area are reporting problems with heavy smoke from outdoor burning - learn the rules before you light and report air quality issues to our pollution line. 

Our air quality team will be heading out to check on outdoor burning activities causing problems with air quality in Oxford and Cust. 

Over the last few months, we’ve received a high volume of calls reporting problems with heavy smoke drifting through the Oxford and Cust areas - particularly in Cust Valley. 

We are asking people to:

Smoke a nuisance for neighbours

In recent weeks, we’ve received 12 calls from members of the Cust and Oxford community about poor air quality and excessive smoke.  

Those phoning in have described needing to stay indoors to escape the “putrid”, “toxic” or “invasive” smoke. Some people have experienced watery eyes, itchy throats, and asthma symptoms because of the smoke, while others are annoyed that their washing smells smoky or that their backyard gets covered with ash. 

Reports like this suggest that the burning going on in this area is not in line with outdoor burning rules.  

Don’t forget to check if it’s wet

Many of the complaints received relate to the burning of wet organic material.  

Brian Reeves is compliance team leader for the northern region, and wants to remind people that burning wet material is not permitted.  

“Burning wet organics, like freshly felled trees for example, generates much more smoke than a dry burn. That’s when you get thick, black smoke that causes a real nuisance to the surrounding community,” said Mr Reeves. “The smoke contains small particles that can irritate the nose and throat and even have more serious health impacts over time.” 

Outdoor burning rules state that the moisture content of any material being burnt must not be greater than 25 per cent. 

Rubbish fires a no-go

No matter how large your property is, you must not burn rubbish. Burning rubbish releases toxic chemicals into the air. 

Materials that must not be burned in Canterbury include plastic, metals, batteries, painted or treated wood, rubber, coated wire, oil, chemicals, tar and bitumen, materials containing asbestos, or containers that have stored hazardous materials.  

Of particular concern in the rural environment is the burning of bale wrap and other household rubbish. 

Smoke from fires is an expensive problem

Last year more than 850 smoke-related complaints were lodged with us for the region. The year before that, it was nearly 900.  

“At around $350 per call out, the cost to the ratepayer can really add up,” said Mr Reeves. “It benefits everyone in the community to get this number down.” 

It’s not a matter of over reporting. “Callers are often reluctant to inform on their neighbours and only do so when the smoke has become a real problem,” said Mr Reeves.

Check it's alright before you light 

Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways you can make sure your burn doesn’t cause a headache for your community.

Before lighting any fires:

If smoke from outdoor burning is causing a nuisance for you, then report it by: