Many Rotorua families will struggle to replace inefficient woodburners during current tough economic times without financial help.
That's according to Nicola McCarrison, who lives on Roosevelt Rd in Western Heights, one of Rotorua's most polluted areas.
She says the only way she could replace her in-built Kent
fire would be if she qualified for extra financial support.
Western Heights, Pleasant Heights and Ngapuna have been identified by Environment Bay of Plenty as Rotorua's most polluted suburbs. The regional council has blamed the problem on inefficient woodburners which release high volumes of dust particles into the air.
About 9000 homes across the three areas have outdated woodburners which no longer comply with requirements introduced by the Ministry for the Environment to control air pollution levels.
By September 2013, the regional council wants at least 4500 old wood burners in those areas replaced.
Environmentally-friendly heating options such as heat pumps, flued gas heaters, pellet fires and energy-efficient wood burners, cost between $2000 and $8000 to install - unaffordable for most low-income families.
"The cost of living has gone up substantially over the past six months and everyone's finding it hard," Mrs McCarrison said. "Who could afford to get rid of their fire right now?"
The mother of two school-aged children burns wood in her fire all day, also using it to heat the family's water, saving about $80 a month on power. While worried about Rotorua's air pollution, burning wood is the cheapest way to heat her home.
"We're all being told to save power so having a fire is a good option for us. We get our firewood free and at the end of the day, I have two little ones and I need to heat our house." Mrs McCarrison said she would consider replacing her wood burner but only if she qualified for financial assistance. "It would have to be a substantial subsidy or the full replacement cost."
Environment Bay of Plenty has contributed $150,000 to the Clean Heat scheme which helps disadvantaged families replace outdated wood burners.
It started by converting about 80 Rotorua homes this year but Neil Oppatt, Rotorua councillor for Environment Bay of Plenty, said more substantial funds would be needed.
"This is a critical issue for Rotorua and one that's right up there with lakes water quality. Low-income families don't have the ability to change their woodburners on their own so we need to step up to the plate."
Rotorua District Council is also considering how it can help reduce pollution. Council environmental services director Nigel Wharton said he would recommend at the next finance committee meeting on June 30 that the council form a joint committee with the regional council.
Asked if the district council could help fund the Clean Heat Project, he said that would be for the joint committee to consider. "We need to identify, cost out, then consider all our options as part of a draft action plan."
NZ'S 10 MOST POLLUTED AREAS
1. Regional Otago
2. Christchurch
3. Nelson City
4. Timaru
5. Kaiapoi
6. Rotorua
7. Richmond
8. Ashburton
9. Tokoroa
10. Hastings
Many Rotorua families will struggle to replace inefficient woodburners during current tough economic times without financial help.
That's according to Nicola McCarrison, who lives on Roosevelt Rd in Western Heights, one of Rotorua's most polluted areas.
She says the only way she could replace her in-built Kent
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