Stricter controls on air pollution

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33443, 26 January 1974, Page 10

Stricter controls on air pollution

Changes that will result in big expense for some industries will be brought about by the Clean Air Licensing Regulations, that will come into force on April 1.

The regulations require control of the emission of smoke, fumes, dust, and other air pollutants. But so far, guidelines to support the regulations have not been issued, though they are being prepared by the Clean Air Council.

Large fuel-burning industries, or those using chemical processes in a big way, will be licensed by the Health Department. Smaller fuel-burning or chemical industries will be licensed by their local authority, and small space-heating plants will require a licence under council by-laws.

As it will take time for many industries to comply with requirements, they will get their licences — possibly conditionally — from April 1, and they will be given a certain time to comply with emission standards. Both the Christchurch City Council and the Waimairi County Council have cleanair by-laws, and permits for domestic and other spaceheating will be issued in terms of these by-laws. Other councils do not yet

have the appropriate bylaws. One of these is the Paparua County Council, which is likely to adopt the draft air-pollution by-law recommended to councils by the Air Pollution Committee

of the Christchurch Regional Planning Authority. In the absence of guidelines, inspectors will use the smoke abatement regulations which have been in force for some time.