Reasons for Proposal

This Statement of Proposal has been prepared to fulfil Council’s obligations under the LGA and to provide sufficient information to the community for well-informed discussion on the amended Bylaw.

Problem definition

The National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NESAQ) set a limit of 50μg/m3 for fine particulates (or PM10). This limit is not a "safe" concentration for fine particulates, but provides an acceptable level of protection for human health while still allowing for normal activities. The current deadline for compliance is no more than three exceedances per year by September 2016, and one per year by 2020.

Currently, the Rotorua Airshed (the airshed) regularly exceeds this standard. During the 2015 calendar year, the airshed exceeded the standard 13 times.

The people who are most likely to suffer harm or ill health as a result of poor air quality are the very young, elderly and those with respiratory problems such as asthma and other chronic illnesses such as heart disease. A summary of adverse consequences which result from compromised air pollution include:

• Poor health
• Reduced amenity value where the city looks unpleasant
• Restricted economic development
• Poor public perception (if Rotorua air quality is not improved, it will rise in the ranks of cities with poor air quality, discouraging visitors and economic development).