Open fires will be banned in Rotorua homes | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

From May 1, 2015, all indoor open fires in Rotorua will become illegal to use.

At a meeting of the Rotorua District Council's finance committee yesterday, councillors decided to go ahead with a controversial Air Quality Control Bylaw that seeks to improve the city's poor air quality, which is the worst in the North Island.

Improving the air is also expected to save lives. Rotorua's air quality is so poor scientists suggest it directly leads to the deaths of 22 residents a year.

The bylaw will come into effect on December 1.

About 850 homes in Rotorua use open fires for domestic heating and most people could upgrade their old fire places for about $4000.

A small public gallery of about eight people heard Rotorua mayor Kevin Winters say he supported the bylaw but only as long as Rotorua residents had plenty of time to prepare for its effects.

"The reality is it's in June and July when this happens.

He said the date of 2015 gives people four more winters to get prepared.

Councillors also ensured Rotorua's less affluent residents had an opportunity to comply.

Councillor Geoff Kenny said he was not happy with the regional council's offer of interest-free loans of up to $4000 to residents who could not afford to upgrade their fireplaces.

"Instead of loans there should be grants to help those people in low-income areas out. These people don't want to know about a loan," Mr Kenny said.

Regional council strategic development group manager Mary-Anne Macleod said the regional council was in the process of considering grants, as opposed to loans, for low-income families.

"We have already had about 20 inquiries [for loans] and our people will be visiting those sites soon," she said.

Councillors Maggie Bentley and Bob Martin voted against adopting the bylaw.

Mrs Bentley said she was not convinced the regional council would stick to its promises of financial aid to Rotorua's poorer residents.

Rotorua's council is the only council in New Zealand to have enacted an Air Quality Control Bylaw on behalf of a regional council.

In a letter to the council, Minister for the Environment Dr Nick Smith said without the council's leadership a more costly and time consuming process would have been needed.

"I commend you on this course of action and encourage you to continue your progress with this important issue," Dr Smith said.

Under the bylaw, anyone looking to sell a home after May 1, 2012 must have a compliant fireplace before they can put it on the market.

However, Jervis St resident Don Lawson said the new bylaw would mean he could lose up to $5000 when he decided to sell his house because he would have to replace his fireplace.

"It's rubbish. I wish they would throw the whole thing out.

"I've got a good-quality Kent woodburner about 20 years old. According to them it's non-compliant now. I only burn dry wood so it doesn't smoke a lot.

"They are tampering with people's property rights," Mr Lawson said.

• AIR QUALITY BYLAW: Comes into effect on December 1, 2010.
  
  From May 1, 2012, non-complying woodburners have to be replaced before a house is sold.
  
  From May 1, 2015, all indoor open fires in Rotorua will become illegal to use.
  
  The bylaw is enacted by the Rotorua District Council but enforced by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
  
  The effectiveness and efficiency will be reviewed in September 2011.
  
  Maximum penalty for breaching the bylaw is $20,000.
  
  To find out if your fire complies log on to the Ministry for the Environment's website www.mfe.govt.nz.