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BreatheEasy Southland

Resources

Air Plan Review

The Regional Air Plan 2016 was adopted by Council on 5 October 2016. It introduces new rules in response to the Government’s health-inspired National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NES) to address the region’s air quality issues.

The plan includes new rules for home heating, outdoor burning, the application of agrichemicals and fertilisers and fire training. For a quick look at what the new rules mean for home heating, check out the latest Breathe Easy brochure.

Download the Regional Air Plan 2016.

Printed resources

Breathe Easy... New rules - home heating & outdoor burning (October 2020)- This brochure is for all residents in the Invercargill and Gore airsheds. It outlines new rules about the use of approved burners, the phase-out of open fires and non-approved burners, and what you can and can’t burn.

Outdoor burning - This handy factsheet give a quick overview of what you can and can't burn on rural properties in Southland. It also includes tips on how to minimise smoke nuisance for your neighbours.

Warm Up Wisely - This guide offers key information on how to enjoy your wood burner safely, get the best heat out of your firewood and decrease the amount of smoke being released into the air.

Prohibited Fuels List - Download a list of fuels and materials that you are no longer allowed to use for home heating and outdoor burning.

Southland's Air - State of the Environment Report - Southland’s first State of the Environment Report on air was written in partnership with Te Ao Mārama Incorporated and draws together what we know about our region’s air.

Websites

MfE list of approved burners - Thinking about installing a new wood burner or replacing an existing burner? Check out the list of Ministry for the Environment (MfE) approved wood burners.

Consumer guide to wood burners - This Consumer guide provides a range of great advice on purchasing a wood burner, comparing burners and purchasing firewood.

ECCA Energywise - Find out how warm, healthy and cost effective your home is. Warmer Kiwi Home funding from EECA can cover at least two-thirds of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation, plus there is now some funding available to help with clean heating options. If you're a homeowner, head to www.energywise.govt.nz/tools/warmer-kiwi-homes-too... to find out if you're eligible for a grant.

Southland Warm Homes Trust - Find out how you can create a warmer, healthier home. Get advice about insulation and heating options for your home.

Warmer Cheaper - Check out the great demonstration videos on lighting your fire.

On the farm – recycling options

AgRecovery - Not sure what to do with unwanted plastics on the farm? AgRecovery can help you recycle chemicals and plastics such as containers, silage wrap and crop protection netting.

Plasback NZ - Plasback NZ can help you with recycling many plastics from the farm, including silage wrap, silage covers, grain bags, polypropylene bags, twines, large drums, vine nets and irrigation piping.

Southland DisAbility Enterprises - They take a variety of items for recycling, including agrichemical containers. Containers should be triple rinsed and dropped off to the centre.

Videos

Burn Smokefree - A short video showing the correct usage of a wood burner to maximise heating efficiency and minimise smoke.

NZ Home Heating Association- Some great videos here on getting the best out of your wood burner.

Breathe Easy Brochures

These brochures outline proposed rules about the use of approved burners, the phase-out of open fires and non-approved burners, and what you can and can’t burn.

Breathe Easy... New rules - home heating & outdoor burning (October 2020) - This brochure is for all residents in the Invercargill and Gore airsheds. It outlines new rules about the use of approved burners, the phase-out of open fires and non-approved burners, and what you can and can’t burn.

Breathe Easy... New rules - home heating & outdoor burning (August 2016) - This brochure is for all residents in the Invercargill and Gore airsheds. It outlines new rules about the use of approved burners, the phase-out of open fires and non-approved burners, and what you can and can’t burn.

Breathe Easy... Proposed rules – home heating & outdoor burning (September 2014) - This brochure is for all residents in the Invercargill and Gore airsheds. It outlines proposed rules about the use of approved burners, the phase-out of open fires and non-approved burners, and what you can and can’t burn.

Breathe Easy... Proposed rules – Home heating and on the farm (September 2014) - This brochure is for farmers and those who live in rural areas. It outlines proposed rules about home heating, outdoor burning, what you can burn and some farm management practices.

Breathe Easy… Gore – Change is in the Air (June 2014) - This brochure was delivered to homes in the built up area of Gore township. It is a ‘heads-up’ about the issues and options being grappled with in Southland’s air plan review, particularly, in relation to home heating.

Breathe Easy… Invercargill – Change is in the Air (June 2014) - This brochure was delivered to homes in the built up area of Invercargill city. It is a ‘heads-up’ about the issues and options being grappled with in Southland’s air plan review, particularly, in relation to home heating.

Breathe Easy… Rural Living – Change is in the Air (June 2014) - This brochure explains some of the issues and options being grappled with in air plan review that could affect farmers and others who live in rural Southland.

Breathe Easy… Cleaner air – a healthier you (March 2013) - This brochure was part of an early consultation process. It was delivered to homes in the built-up areas of Invercargill and Gore to explain the air quality problems and let people know that Southland’s air plan was about to be reviewed. It was accompanied by a questionnaire asking for people’s views on how Southland’s air quality issues could be addressed.

Breathe Easy… Questionnaire results (March 2013) - There were 174 responses to this questionnaire.