Environment Canterbury needs to be notified at least five days in advance of the estimated time of burning and you need to supply a topographical map of the area. We can then find out if the proposed burning plan meets ECan’s permitted activity rules. In most cases it costs nothing and it can prevent damage to the environment and the need for enforcement action. You can look up the rules in the Regional Plan Part IV.

For more information on hill and high country burning visit ECan’s website on http://ecan.govt.nz/ or call Fiona Willox (south of the Rakaia River) 03 684 0549 or Lucy Bowker (north of the Rakaia River) 03 363 9361.