Autumn burning prompts reminder of rules

Northlanders planning to burn unwanted waste material this autumn are being encouraged to consider their neighbours and follow the rules, or risk fines and other penalties.

Burning and smoke nuisance complaints make up 25 percent of all incidents reported to the Northland Regional Council (NRC) Environmental Hotline, says Councillor Joce Yeoman, who chairs the council’s Planning and Regulatory Working Party.

“They are the most common problem raised via the hotline, and autumn is a busy time of year for backyard fires. People might be burning off vegetation that was left to ‘die and dry’ over summer, or disposing of paper, cardboard or untreated timber. So they need to keep a few things in mind as they tidy up before winter kicks in.”

Nationally, it is prohibited to burn tyres, coated metal wire and oil (in the open air). Most importantly, materials such as plastic containers, treated timber, demolition waste and synthetic materials cannot be burned. In Northland, without a resource consent, only burning untreated wood, paper, cardboard or vegetation is allowed – and this still needs to be managed to minimise the effects on neighbours.

Broadly, rules for backyard burning fall into two geographical categories. Outside the Whangarei urban area, Northlanders can light outside fires if they follow certain rules:

· Avoid causing offensive, objectionable or noxious smoke or odours to neighbouring residents.

· At least 24 hours before the fire, notify (in writing) all neighbours within 100 metres if the fire will last for more than 24 hours and is within 100 metres of a smoke-sensitive area (such as homes, schools, parks or marae).

· Don’t obscure vision along a public road.

· Only light fires containing waste that is created on site, and consists of paper, untreated wood, cardboard and vegetation (or animal remains where the burning is on agricultural land).

The ability to have outdoor fires does not apply when there’s a restricted fire season or fire ban in place. Fire restrictions and permits are managed by Fire and Emergency New Zealand. However, anyone who has a permit must still follow the council’s rules.

Burning for cooking – including BBQs, hangi, pizza ovens or umu – is permitted, as are wood-fired kilns and in some cases community bonfires, but people must not cause smoke or odours that are a nuisance outside their property.

There are plenty of alternative ways to dispose of waste, whether people are in rural or urban areas. Compost, mulch or chip garden waste, and add it to your garden for extra nutrients. Larger logs can be cut to size and used as firewood during winter. Waste vegetation produces significantly less smoke when it’s been left to dry before burning. Use your district council’s roadside collection, or take larger quantities of refuse to a transfer station. Consider hiring a mini-skip with a neighbour to cut costs while disposing of your waste material. Plastics, paper, glass and tins can go into your recycling bin.

Over the past five years, there have been an average of 252 burning and smoke nuisance complaints per year. Those breaching the rules are liable for enforcement action, like instant fines of up to $1000, abatement notices and prosecution through the courts.

n Anyone wanting to report nuisance or illegal burning can contact the council’s 24/7 Environmental Hotline on 0800 504 639 or check out nrc.govt.nz/backyardburning for more info about rules.

Over the past five years, there have been an average of 252 burning and smoke nuisance complaints per year.

Materials such as plastic containers, treated timber, demolition waste and synthetic materials cannot be burned.