The rules for rebuilding in Christchurch Clean Air Zone 1, either on the same site or a new site

If you are building a new home on the same site or a different site, under the Christchurch Air Plan you cannot install a woodburner, even if you had one in your current home.

Can I install a woodburner in my rebuild home in Rangiora or Kaiapoi Clean Air Zone 1?

If you are wishing to install a woodburner into a rebuild house and your property is in Rangiora or Kaiapoi Clean Air Zone 1, you will need to apply to Environment Canterbury for a resource consent. However, this is not a simple process and can be expensive with no guarantee that the consent will be granted. Please contact Customer Services prior to pursuing this option.

Alternatively, you can install a pellet burner in a new home in Rangiora or Kaiapoi Clean Air Zone 1 without a resource consent as long as it is an Environment Canterbury approved pellet burner.

Keeping warm in an earthquake-damaged home during winter in 2012

People living in an earthquake-damaged home who are waiting for it to be repaired, or are waiting to rebuild their home, should keep themselves warm by the most effective means available to them this winter.

Environment Canterbury Programme Manager Don Chittock says "If you are living in an earthquake-damaged home this winter, keep yourself warm even if it means using an older woodburner or open fire.

"This winter we will continue the pragmatic approach we took last winter, where people in earthquake-affected homes were able to continue to use older burners or open fires.

"However, we will respond to calls on our Pollution Hotline from people concerned about smoky chimneys in their neighbourhood," says Mr Chittock. "Sometimes people are not aware they have a smoky chimney and we can offer some advice on how to use a burner well, including the type and quality of fuel used."

Mr Chittock says people who are repairing their homes can retain a log burner for use during winter.

"We want to make it clear that if your home had an existing burner, during the house repair you can install an approved low-emission burner."

The winter fire ban on open fires and older woodburners will continue to apply to people whose homes have not been compromised by the earthquake, says Kim Drummond, Director of Resource Management.

Full media article »