(Section 16 of the RPS)
This section deals with the management of the air quality of the region. Air is a life supporting resource that needs to be protected. Northland, like most other predominantly rural regions is noted for its clear skies and high air quality, although there is localised air pollution from human activities. The prevailing south-westerly winds tend to move air masses across the region fairly rapidly, although fog and other localised conditions do occur, especially during still winter days. There have only been a few studies of the concentrations of air pollutants in the Northland region.
The RMA gives responsibility for the control of air pollution to regional councils. Air pollution control was previously the responsibility of the Department of Health for major discharges, and district councils for some minor discharges.
Anticipated Outcomes
· The widespread adoption of the ‘Best Practicable Option' for all discharges to avoid, remedy or mitigate the adverse environmental effects that may result from the discharge.
· A significant reduction in the number of incidents involving pesticide use, backyard burning and other similar contaminant discharges.
· Greenhouse gas emission levels in line with government directives.
Policy Mix
The objectives for the air quality section are:
· the sustainable management of the air resource.
· the reduction of the region's discharges of ozone depleting substances and the net emissions of greenhouse gases.
The policy approach for pollution control (Policy 16.4 (a)) is weighted towards the use of regulation including setting and administering air quality standards and adopting the Best Practicable Option. Notwithstanding this, the use of agrichemicals and fertiliser (Policy 16.4 (b)) is also approached by promoting training and education options. Nuisance discharges (Policy 16.4 (c)) that are readily avoided are managed through a regulatory approach and methods of avoiding nuisance are promoted through environmental awareness programmes.
Recent changes to the RMA have given central government the lead role for Greenhouse gases (Greenhouse gases are referred to in Policy 16.4 (d)). The policy approach for ozone depleting substances (Policy 16.4 (e)) is to publicise methods for avoiding the emission of ozone depleting substances.
The air quality section contains 22 individual methods of implementation that flow from the policy direction discussed above.
What's the current state?
Carbon monoxide (CO) investigations in Whangarei have shown that at times, elevated concentrations of CO are present in the central city area. Earlier surveys revealed concentrations above recommended guideline concentrations. However, more recent monitoring showed no breach of the guidelines. This is likely to be more related to sampling times rather than a reduction in CO concentrations.
Since the 5 year Effectiveness and Efficiency Report was published, the NRC has consulted on two plan changes to the Regional Air Quality Plan for Northland (RAQP) (Plan Change 1 – Marsden Point Air Quality Strategy and Plan Change 2 – Backyard Burning). These plan changes were made operative on 1 December 2008 and have now been included in the Operative RAQP.
The NRC has identified five airsheds in accordance with the National Environmental Standard for Air Quality (2004). There airsheds are Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Dargaville, Whangarei and Marsden Point.
The 2007-2008 Annual Environmental Monitoring Report (AMR) shows that of the 1037 incidents reported to the NRC through the environmental hotline, 37% (384 incidents) were air related. The previous AMR shows that air related incidents accounted for 45% (454 incidents) of reported incidents. This suggests that the RAQP is effective, in particular the new provisions for backyard burning.
The recently revised Emission Inventory of the Whangarei Airshed has confirmed that the main source of PM10 during the winter months is solid fuel burning for home heating (74%), followed by industry (11%), outdoor burning (9%) and transport (6%).
Data from the 2007-2008 AMR shows that levels of PM10 at all monitoring stations in Northland (Water and Robert Streets in Whangarei and Donald Road, Kaitaia) were below the National Environmental Standard. This is an improvement on past years and shows that in this respect the RPS has been effective.
With regards to SO2 monitoring, results from the Taurikura Bay site show that peak concentrations are well below the National Environmental Standard and also below the current 24 hour ambient air quality standard. This also illustrates that the RPS is effective because the concentrations are below the national standards.
The NRC has seen a significant increase in the use of best practice technology throughout all air discharge consent applications. Examples include the increased uptake of modern baghouses and the replacement of older boilers with newer more efficient boilers.
What has worked well in this section?
The NRC has an effective complaints system (Environmental Hotline) and has seen a reduction in the number of agrichemical related complaints following implementation of the RAQP. Overall, the number of complaints that effect human health appears to be reducing.
What has not worked in this section?
The air quality approach should include more focus on human health (complaints/nuisance) rather than a scientific/technical approach. The human health and safety threats are lacking within this section.
General comments on this section:
The NRC has identified five airsheds in accordance with the National Environmental Standard for Air Quality (2004). There airsheds are Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Dargaville, Whangarei and Marsden Point.
Is this section Efficient and Effective?
Whilst air quality related incidents and issues continue to dominate the complaints received, generally the air quality section is efficient and effective. A small number of industries are responsible for the majority of trade discharges. Northland has a high standard of air quality.
The RAQP was made operative in full in August 2005 and a strategy was developed to manage air quality at Marsden Point, which is the main centre for industrial discharges. Plan Change 1 (Marsden Point Air Quality Strategy) has since been undertaken which means the Marsden Point Air Quality Strategy must be taken into account when making decisions on air quality in the Marsden Point area. Therefore, this aspect of the RPS has been effective.
Public information is available on air quality. However, it needs to be made more accessible, and user friendly. The development of an emissions inventory will assist this process.
The greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances sections have not been effectively implemented. This is primarily due to the overlap with central government's responsibilities for these sections, and Government direction in the case of greenhouse gases, that preclude controls via discharge consent conditions.
Emerging Issues for this section?
Detailed information and studies on the effects of climate change on the Northland region are required; particularly for effective management at the resource consent level.
The management of the dust emissions created from unsealed roads is a particular air quality issue for Northland. District councils currently struggle to justify spending money on sealing roads and cannot justify requiring developers to seal roads either. This needs to be linked with the Transport section of the RPS.
The capacity of Marsden Point Airshed (with regards to future industrial activities) could become an emerging issue, which may need to be dealt with through trade- able permits as well as emissions reduction technology. Specific localised air toxins (e.g. BETEX, formaldehyde) and home heating may also become emerging issues.
Conclusions
Generally the air quality section is efficient and effective. A large number of the previously identified issues have been dealt with through the creation of the RAQP and through new government legislation. The air quality section overall needs to be updated to include new legislation and remove some of the excessive detail. A number of emerging issues have been identified for the region, these being: the potential effects of climate change, capacity of the Marsden Point Airshed, specific localised air toxins and home heating. These issues will be investigated further as part of the drafting of the 2nd Generation RPS.