In Tokoroa and Putaruru the quality of the air does not meet the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality. Adverse effects of poor air quality include social (human health), environmental and economic (cost of reducing non-compliance and potential for limiting economic growth through restrictions on new businesses if the situation is not addressed).
The GRUZ is a working environment that supports a diverse range of production activities and associated processing facilities. It is also the location of network utilities and infrastructure that are important to the District’s economy and functioning. One of the key elements that influence rural character and amenity values relates toodours and sprays associated with a range of production activities therefore no standards have been set within the GRUZ for general rural production except for storage, treatment and spreading of effluent.
A diverse range of other rural-based activities operate in the GRUZ such as mineral exploration, mining and quarrying and intensive indoor primary production. These operations have the potential to create and be impacted on by reverse sensitivity issues associated with dust or odour.
To have attractive, functional, safe and thriving townships built on the unique qualities of their people, industries, history and natural strengths.
To allow adequate opportunities for businesses and industries to provide a range of employment opportunities for the District’s residents, in a manner consistent with the towns’ existing amenity values without any unnecessary barriers to economic advancement.
To provide for intensive farming operations that avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects on existing neighbouring land uses and amenity values.
To continue with the Warm Homes Clean Air Project to improve air quality in Tokoroa and Putaruru airsheds.
Enable home businesses and a range of non-residential activities in residential areas where the effects of these businesses are consistent with maintaining the character and amenity values of the residential neighbourhoods and do not adversely affect the vitality of the town centres.
Avoid, remedy or mitigate the adverse effects of activities on the existing character and amenity values of the surrounding rural area and avoid those activities that would cause reverse sensitivity concerns for established rural-based activities (including existing network utilities and infrastructure).
Improve air quality in the Tokoroa and Putaruru airsheds for health and environmental reasons by helping to minimise PM10 emissions.
AIR-R1 PER activity standard |
Applicable Zone |
(1) There shall be no dust nuisance beyond the boundary of the site from which the dust is sourced. A dust nuisance will occur if there is visible evidence of suspended solids in the air beyond the boundary of the site; and/or there is visible evidence of suspended solids traceable from a dust source settling on the ground, building or structure on a neighbouring site or water. (2) Any stockpiles of loose material shall be contained or maintained in such a manner to prevent dispersal of material into the air. |
TCZ-PREC2-Tirau, GRZ, COMZ, GIZ, MU-SETZ, RLZ, SPZ-AIRP |
(3) There shall be no dust nuisance beyond the boundary of the site from which the dust is sourced. A dust nuisance will occur if there is visible evidence of suspended solids: (i) in the air beyond the boundary of the site, or (ii) traceable from a dust source on the site settling on the ground, building or structure on a neighbouring site |
SPZ-ELG
|
AIR-R2 RDIS activities |
Subject to |
If AIR-R1(1), (2) or (3) cannot be met the application becomes a RDIS |
Matters of discretion (a) AA-R3(1) and AA-R3(2) (b) AIR-R3 where relevant |
The following may also be relevant:
(1) Section 7.1 Energy, 7.2 Infrastructure, 7.3 Transport
(2) Section 8.1 Contaminated Land
(3) Section 9.2 Sites of Significance to Māori
(4) Section 10.1 Ecosystems and Indigenous Biodiversity
(5) Section 12.1 All Activities
(6) Section 12.4 Earthworks, 12.7 Noise, 12.9 Temporary Activities
Warm Homes Clean Air Project
Waikato Regional Plan and WRITS
Use LIMs and consent notices for new small (lifestyle) blocks in the GRUZ to remind new owners that they are in a working environment.
A lot of what makes functional and enjoyable towns cannot be achieved only through district plan methods. For example, addressing the current urban air quality problems in terms of the RMA is a Regional Council responsibility. Urban enhancement therefore needs to be furthered through a variety of other works undertaken by Council and other stakeholders, especially Raukawa, as noted in Section 6.4.
The policy framework aims to acknowledge that the rural area is a working environment and accordingly generates some environmental effects for neighbours.
Rural activities minimise their potential to create reverse sensitivity issues associated with dust affecting development in close proximity to them.
Rural and urban activities implement best management practices to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse environmental effects.