Defining New Zealand's Airsheds

National Environmental Standards for Air Quality: Implementation

________________________________

Defining New Zealand’s Airsheds:

Local Air Management Areas (LAMAs) ________________________________

INFORMATION RESOURCE - UPDATE

Summary Version

1 June 2005

Authors

G. Fisher1, D. King

2, J. Bluett

2, N. Gimson

2,

E. Wilton3, S. Xie

2, M. Faulk

4, R. Cudmore

5,

S. Kingham4, A. Sturman

4, M. Ladd

2.

1. Endpoint Ltd.

2. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd. (NIWA)

3. Environet Ltd.

4. University of Canterbury

5. Kingett Mitchell Ltd.

(This document is available for download as a pdf file from www.niwa.co.nz/ncces/)

(Two versions have been produced – a full version, of some 100 pages and 23Mb, and a

summary version, of some 40 pages and 3Mb. Both are available, but the summary version

will be suitable for most purposes.

ii

Pre-amble

This document is a revision of one released in February 2005. The original document had

limited circulation, mainly to Regional Councils, since it was recognised that revisions of

details may be needed. The current document may still not be complete, as although many

Councils have commented, some have not.

It incorporates a number of updates, revisions and additional information. Several Regional

Councils highlighted issues that have been addressed. Some of these were in the nature of

corrections, some were more in the nature of ensuring practical alignment between the

boundaries suggested here and boundaries already identified by Councils. Where these re-

alignments could be accommodated within the overall science methodology employed here,

they have been adopted. This document also includes as a new Appendix, with all of the raw

data used, for every region.

In addition, since the release of the first version, a number of discussions have taken place

between Regional Councils and the Ministry for the Environment over the interpretation and

implementation details. It is beyond the scope of this document to cover these, and they are

still in a state of flux. It is possible that there will be some minor amendments to the

regulations that make the implementation aspects more practical. However it is unlikely that

the substantive intent, format, schedule or scope of the regulations will change.

Also, it has been pointed out by the Ministry for the Environment that the “LAMA” concept

used here along with the “Category” definitions used have no regulatory weight. The

Ministry also advises that in simple terms, an airshed is where the ambient standards apply.

To give force to the ambient standards over the whole of New Zealand (so that they apply

everywhere) the Minister will gazette all regions.

Councils are invited to nominate airsheds, within their regions, where the ambient standards

are exceeded or likely to be exceeded to the Minister. In doing so, the council is actively

defining a specific area for air quality management for the purposes of the regulation. The

term Local Air Management Area (LAMA) has been used in this document to describe such

airsheds. The use of Category 2 or Category 3 LAMAs is outside the scope of the regulation.

It is up to Councils as to whether or not they include such categories in their nominations to

the Minister.

It must be re-iterated here that this is a GUIDANCE document. It does not seek to set

airsheds for any particular Council, nor does it provide full information on exactly how

Councils might implement the standards in their region. It does seek to highlight

methodologies and issues associated with airsheds, or LAMAs, and encourage national

consistency of approach.

Acknowledgements: This project could not have proceeded without input of data and

comments from all Regional Councils and the Ministry for the Environment.

Map Scales: The scales of the emissions and LAMA maps have been chosen to make the most

of the available space within each page frame. For this reason the scales of the maps differ

between regions.

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Local Air Management Areas for New Zealand: A tool for implementing National Environmental Standards

Category 1 – dark (red) – 60 areas for enhanced air quality management.

(These are the recommended ‘airsheds’ under the regulations).

Category 2 – medium (yellow) – 85 areas for review and assessment.

Category 3 – light (green) – the rest of the country unlikely to experience problems.

(Major industrial discharges covered by resource consents are shown elsewhere).

(Higher definition maps are given in an Appendix)

iv

Document Structure and Content

Part A.

Pre-amble to this Revision ii

National Map iii

Introduction: 1

How to Use This Report: 1

Methodology Overview: 2

Number and Size of LAMAs 2

LAMA Categories: 3

Treatment of Industry Discharges: 3

Limitations and Gaps: 4

Implementation: 4

Summary: 5

Proposed Definition of LAMAs by Region

- Northland

- Auckland

- Waikato

- Bay of Plenty

- Gisborne

- Hawke’s Bay

- Taranaki

- Manawatu-Wanganui

- Wellington

- Marlborough

- Nelson

- Tasman

- Canterbury

- West Coast

- Otago

- Southland

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8

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

36

High Definition Maps 38

1

Introduction:

The National Environmental Standards (NES) were gazetted on 6 September 2004. The

implementation of the standards is linked to the setting of “airsheds” or Local Air Quality

Management Areas (LAMAs) for the entire country, and the Ministry for the Environment

has invited Councils to nominate these by 1 July 2005. More wide ranging analyses and

discussions on LAMAs – what they are, why they are needed, and how they will be used,

have been circulated previously – a summary overview is given in Appendix 1. This current

report is solely concerned with attempting to develop some objective criteria for defining

LAMAs, and compiling a draft set for each region.

This report describes the first stage outputs from the Foundation for Research, Science and

Technology Programme entitled “Protecting New Zealand’s Clean Air” (Research to help

implement NES: Contract reference CO1X0405). The objective of the research was to

formulate a methodology for setting airsheds or LAMAs and then complete prototype

LAMAs for three Councils. Since the data gathering exercise to conduct the work covered

the entire country, draft LAMAs have been developed for all regions, based on a consistent

methodology. These LAMAs are displayed using a Geographical Information System (GIS)

framework, and have been made available for review by Regional Councils. The basic

working unit for analysis and mapping – selected for administrative convenience and national

consistency – is the Census Area Unit (CAU) used by Statistics NZ and others. This is not

fixed, and has been altered in a few cases to fit the specific circumstances. Modifications to

some LAMAs are anticipated, particularly as details of the input data (such as emissions

inventories) are subject to revision.

Specific local factors – such as detailed provisions in Air Plans and other Council policies and

management criteria, have not generally been taken into account. In circumstances where they

are known, some allowance has been made.

This entire exercise is based on PM10. This is because the detailed provisions in the standards

regulation specify PM10 as the main compliance criterion. In later revisions, the airsheds or

LAMAs will need to be developed to account for the other pollutants in the standards.

However as discussed in this report, the criteria for setting LAMAs using other contaminants

is different (and in some cases – such as for ozone – very different) to those used for PM10.

(See Appendix 7). The initial focus on PM10 is entirely warranted, since (a) it is the

contaminant shown to have the greatest public health effects in New Zealand, and (b) any

mitigation policies for PM10 are likely to have co-benefits in reducing effects due to the other

main standards contaminants.

How to use this Report:

The following pages contain a scientific analysis of the factors necessary to define the

LAMAs. Using available data, draft LAMAs have been created for each region. In many

cases these are obvious, but in some instances further analysis and revision may be required.

Whilst the main objective of this work has been research oriented, designed to provide

information and guidance, an important outcome is to assist Regional Councils and the

Ministry for the Environment to define practical and realistic LAMAs as required by the

regulations. In this regard, Councils are recommended to take the following course of action:-

2

1. Examine the criteria, with particular reference to the regional maps.

2. Regard this as a starting point – subject to revision according to specific local

circumstances is necessary.

3. Consider all the criteria discussed, and assess these in relation to local circumstances.

4. Re-draft the LAMAs as appropriate (if necessary).

5. Councils may wish to consult with key stakeholders over their LAMA definitions

(although this is optional at this time).

6. Councils then need to advise the Ministry for the Environment by 1 July 2005 of their

LAMAs. (The format of this can be as simple as a cut-and-paste from this document,

or its updates – maps and data can be provided in almost any format requested).

The total PM10 emissions data from domestic sources, vehicles and industry, along with the

CAU name, population and area, are given in Appendix 8 for key LAMA categories.

Methodology Overview:

The timescale for constructing the LAMAs was short (commencing in October 2004, ending

in February 2005, with this revision in April 2005). Thus existing information had to be used

as effectively as possible, despite some obvious gaps. The amount of information available

around the country varies widely, and in order to meet the requirements to set LAMAs for

every region, the focus has been on using methods that do not require extensive inputs

(although where more detailed data are available, these have been used). The process uses

four key inputs, each of which is described more fully in the Appendices:

1. Geophysical boundaries – how might the geography delineate an airshed boundary?

In some cases this is well defined (e.g. the steep hills around Wellington and the West

Coast define show clear LAMA boundaries), but in other instances the geophysical

criteria are difficult to apply (e.g. in the flat and undulating plains of the Waikato and

Canterbury). This geophysical layer of information has been used to guide the setting

of the boundaries of some LAMAs.

2. Emissions information (base year 2001) – what are the strengths of the various sources

of PM10 discharges? Identify high-density emission areas where the NES is at risk of

being exceeded. This is one of the major determinants of the extent of LAMAs.

3. Recognition of major industry dischargers that can dominate the emissions in

particular regions – particularly those sources of over 250 tonnes per year. Where

these are close to other sources, they are included in the local LAMA, where they are

not, they are assumed to be covered by resource consents.

4. Local weather and how this might affect the spread of emissions.

A fifth factor that needs to be taken into account when setting final LAMAs is the political

and administrative boundaries. These have been accounted for initially by aligning most

LAMA boundaries to CAU boundaries (which are generally aligned to city and district

boundaries). No overall attempt has been made in this exercise to adjust individual

boundaries to align to convenient TLA boundaries, although this can be assessed, and has

been attempted to some extent in one or two areas.

Specific air quality monitoring results – which provide very important information – have not

been used quantitatively in this exercise. They have, however, been used qualitatively by the

authors to guide the setting of draft LAMAs. The final LAMA setting involved a Delphi

3

process, in which the authors individually and collectively argued for certain features. In

many cases these were obvious, arising directly from the geophysical and emissions

information. In some cases the decisions were more subjective, based on local knowledge,

monitoring results, growth expectations and practical boundary issues.

Monitoring results will be used more formally in the next phase of this work, which will

define the straight line path to NES attainment in 2013. This research programme has been

conducted with input from a number of experts and represents a collaborative effort.

Similarly, full scale airshed modelling that could have informed this process considerably has

not been used formally. Reliable model results are really only available for Christchurch and

Auckland – and these results have been used informally in these areas. Airshed modelling is

resource intensive and expensive, and it will be several years before all the areas are covered.

Number and Size of LAMAs:

It was the initial intention of this research to make the LAMA setting exercise as simple and

robust as possible, and to have as few LAMAs as possible. Indications from the Ministry for

the Environment were that “30-40” around New Zealand would be ideal (roughly 2-4 per

Council). However somewhat more than this have been produced here (see below). The

main reason is that there are a number of fairly isolated areas, sometimes quite small, that

clearly experience air quality problems but only in very limited areas. In some cases these

can be merged together when they are within a few kilometres of each other (good example is

the series of towns along Wellington’s Kapiti Coast that have been merged into a single

LAMA. In other cases, where towns are tens of kilometres apart it is virtually inconceivable

they have an influence on each other, or on the intervening territory. Given that this current

exercise is based on scientific principals of cause and effect in airsheds, and that these

LAMAs will eventually have to be accepted by the public and various stakeholders, it does

not make much sense to cover large areas with a LAMA category that is largely irrelevant (a

good examples is the series of towns in regions such as the Waikato, Manawatu, Wairarapa

and Canterbury). Some further amalgamation of LAMAs is possible, but realising that these

may end up covering large areas of the country that contain nothing but a few farm houses

and no real prospect of any form of standards exceedence, this step should be considered in

light of ramifications for public acceptance and implementation at the local political level.

LAMA Categories:

Rather than simply set LAMA boundaries, this study has attempted to divide the LAMAs into

three categories:-

Category 1: Those areas where exceedences currently occur, or are likely to occur without

mitigation actions (i.e. maximum 24 hour PM10 of 50 µg m-3 or greater). These will require

strategies for managing air quality, including monitoring and/or specific emissions inventory

assessment. There are 60 of these around New Zealand. These are mainly in cities and towns

that are known to experience high concentrations at times.

Subsequent to the initial analysis, it has become clear that most of the ‘airsheds’ has required

by the regulations will be Category 1 LAMAs. In some instances, adjacent Category 1

LAMAs will be further amalgamated into single areas, or split into more convenient

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management areas, so that the number of final airsheds defined is likely to be fewer or more

than 59.

Category 2: Those areas where the ambient concentration is currently expected to be, or

likely to be, above 66% of the standard (i.e. 24 hour PM10 of 32 µg m-3). These will need

assessment as to whether they might move into Category 1. There are 85 of these, mainly in

urban areas, often surrounding a Category 1 area, and including some smaller towns.

Category 3: Those areas that do not currently, or are unlikely to in the near future, have

ambient concentrations greater than 66% of the standard. There are 16 of these around New

Zealand (one per Council area). These are everywhere else, throughout rural areas, smaller

towns, and all places where there are few people living, and no industrial dischargers,

comprising by far the bulk of the NZ land area.

It is anticipated, that only Category 1 LAMAs will require any regulatory attention (for many

Councils these already are managed). It is estimated approximately 45% of the population live

in Category 1 areas, with approximately 35% in Category 2 and the remaining 20% in

Category 3 areas.

Treatment of Industry Discharges:

Many regions have large industrial air discharge consent holders. In general these are well

managed through established RMA practices and consent conditions. It is not the intention of

the NES implementation to deliberately alter these arrangements unless absolutely necessary

to achieve the standards.

Where an industrial discharge is located in an area where there are multiple emissions sources

resulting in PM10 concentrations that are likely to be above 50 µg m-3 (the definition of a

Category 1 LAMA) then these are included in the emissions inventory that helps define the

LAMA and must be managed along with all the other sources.

However where the industry is located in isolation – more than a 5-10 kilometres from any

other significant sources – and it is covered by an air-discharge consent - then it is not

considered within a LAMA. The rationale being that appropriate management processes are

in place and that the consent conditions will require adequate standards compliance. There

may be cases where this does not hold, but there will be very few of these, and they will be

well identified and well understood by the relevant Council.

There are perhaps 4-8 cases around the country that fall into the grey area between these two

circumstances. These are where a major industrial discharge is within 2 kilometres or so of an

urban area that experiences problems, with other sources contributing. The industrial

discharger may contribute to those problems, but may not be the main, or even a significant,

contributor. These cases will need to identified and explicitly managed.

The significant discharges outside of urban areas are marked on the LAMA maps with ‘flags’,

and these are presented just as an indication of the locations of industries that have discharges

to air that may result in increased ambient concentrations of pollutants. Almost all of these

are currently covered by consents.

5

The proposed amendments to the regulations concern the treatment of consent holders and

applicants within Category 1 LAMAs. The details have not been released, and the schedule

for the amendment is not specified, but it is likely to be to Rule 17 allowing a more flexible

approach to the management of smaller dischargers that may not be having a significant effect

on the airshed PM10.

Limitations and Gaps:

There are a number of aspects to the LAMA establishment process that can be improved. For

instance, the amount of data available for the exercise is less than optimal. This obstacle was

addressed using reasoned assumptions and surrogate information. These details are described

in the sections that follow, with key points for improving the LAMA establishment process

listed below:

1. Application of a Region-to-Region consistent methodology for basic data gathering -

particularly for emissions inventories.

2. Maintenance of a regularly updated national database of emissions.

3. Improving the methods and quality of data used to estimate home heating, vehicle and

industrial emissions. (See - Future Improvements - Appendix 2, 3 and 4).

4. Further research on the influence of local meteorological factors. This line of research

may lead to a refinement of the areas covered by each LAMA. (See - Future

Improvements - Appendix 5).

5. Further research on the influence of geophysical features on defining LAMA boundaries.

(See - Future Improvements - Appendix 6). This line of research may lead to a refinement

of the areas covered by each LAMA.

6. Further research on the relationship between emissions and monitoring results (underway,

and part of the next stage of the Foundation programme).

Implementation:

These draft LAMAs are now available for review by Councils, the Ministry for the

Environment and other stakeholders. They may be adopted in whole, or part. Some LAMAs

may require adjustment to account for factors that may not have been recognised in this

research – it does not purport to have dealt with all aspects. At the very least, these draft

LAMAs provide a baseline that may be advanced upon.

Summary:

A working set of LAMAs for each region has been developed, using as much existing

information and data that has been possible to obtain in the timeframe available. They are

designed to meet the initial requirements of the NES implementation programme, and will be

used in further stages of the research into implementing air quality standards. The LAMAs

can be adopted directly by Councils and the Ministry for the Environment, or may be

modified to account for specific circumstances.

6

Northland LAMA Summary

Northland has large areas that are not generally affected by air pollution and thus the LAMAs

are small and reasonably well defined. There are several large industries in the region

covered by resource consents. The key areas are the main urban centres, and the Bream Bay

industrial area.

The Bream Bay area warrants special attention, and is currently the subject of a special air

plan being prepared by the Council. The LAMA for Bream Bay needs to be constructed

carefully, as the elevated discharge sources can be carried some distance. In particular the

LAMA will need to cover locations across the harbour, and further inland. The airsheds being

defined in more detail as part of the air management plan are likely to supplant those shown

here.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for Northland Region are:

Bream Bay (both sides of harbour)

Central Whangarei / Kamo

Other areas that may be considered for air quality management purposes are:

Category 2 Outer Whangarei

Category 2 Dargaville

Category 2 Kaikohe

Category 2 Kaitaia

Category 3 All the rest

Thus there are 2 Category 1, 4 Category 2, and 1 Category 3 LAMAs

7

Northland Region Proposed LAMAs

8

Auckland LAMA Summary

The LAMAs for the Auckland region closely follow the populated areas since they are most

heavily influenced by vehicle and domestic emissions. Industry emissions are also mostly

within these LAMAs except for one – the steel mill at Waiuku.

The greater Auckland city region has been designated as Category 1 – but comprises several

sub-regional airsheds that may become separate LAMAs (in the plotted examples these do not

show up as they are adjacent). In practice, a further layer of definition may be required. The

basic boundaries for the Category 1 LAMAs have been aligned to the existing MUL

(Metropolitan Urban Limits), currently used in the ARC plans.

(The precision inherent in the ARC MUL maps – available on the ARC web site – should take

precedent over the less precise representation given here by CAU boundaries.)

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for Auckland Region are:

Greater Auckland Central (Auckland City,

North Shore City, bulk of Waitakere

City, bulk of Manukau City)

East North Shore

Pukekohe

Orewa


Category 2 Waiheke Island

Category 2 South and East Manukau, to Central Franklin

Category 2 Central Waitakere, to West North Shore, to Whangaparaoa, to East Rodney

Category 2 Helensville

Category 2 Warkworth



9

Auckland Region Proposed LAMAs

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Waikato LAMA Summary

Defining LAMAs for the Waikato Region is not a straightforward process, as much of the

region is flat, or with only small hills. These do not form natural airsheds, and air pollution

can spread in varying directions. The region has a number of urban areas that experience high

pollution due to domestic and vehicle emissions, and also has one of the highest numbers of

large industrial PM10 dischargers in the country – many of which are not located in urban

areas.

These urban centres are affected to varying degrees largely relating to geophysical factors –

for instance Te Kuiti is surrounded by hills that are steep enough to inhibit dispersion,

whereas Cambridge and Paeroa are not. However it is clear that most of these LAMAs can

probably be treated equivalently has there are substantial similarities between each one.

Matamata might be considered marginal, in that this location possibly does not currently

experience exceedences but their emissions and potential growth suggest that the potential

exists.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for the Waikato Region are:

Hamilton

Taupo

Tokoroa

Te Kuiti

Matamata*

* Based on potential for exceedences, considered marginal


Category 2 Outer Hamilton

Category 2 Outer Taupo

Category 2 Cambridge

Category 2 Te Awamutu

Category 2 Waihi

Category 2 Putaruru

Category 2 Morrinsville

Category 2 Waitoa

Category 2 Te Aroha

Category 2 Paeroa

Category 2 Thames

Category 2 Whangamata

Category 2 Whitianga

Category 2 Huntly

Category 2 Tuakau

Category 2 Turangi

Category 2 Otorohanga



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Waikato Region Proposed LAMAs

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Bay of Plenty LAMA Summary

The Bay of Plenty region contains a small but diverse set of LAMAs due to different

emissions scenarios. The strong growth in the Tauranga region, probably affected by

domestic, vehicle and small industry sources, make this an area at risk. Rotorua has a unique

status, because of its geothermal emissions (although not PM10 related) and its sheltered

nature. Other areas – such as Kawerau and Whakatane – have local industries that may affect

urban pollution to varying extents. Whakatane may be considered marginal, due to its sea

side exposure and relatively small size.

The western Bay of Plenty, from Tauranga through to Katikati, has been suggested as quite a

large Category 2 LAMA because of general emissions and expected growth.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for the Bay of Plenty Region are:

Tauranga / Mt Manganui

Rotorua

Kawerau

Whakatane*

* Marginal due to small size and exposure to winds


Category 2 Outer Tauranga to Katikati

Category 2 East Rotorua

Category 2 West Rotorua

Category 2 Te Puke

Category 2 Pongakawa

Category 2 Opotoki



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Bay of Plenty Region Proposed LAMAs

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Gisborne LAMA Summary

The only area of significant emissions and possible air quality problems for PM10 in the

Gisborne District is the city of Gisborne itself, and the associated industrial zones to the south

west of the city.

Some smaller urban areas have PM10 emissions, but these are not anticipated to be high

enough to warrant even Category 2 LAMAs at this stage.

The largest emitter in the Gisborne city area is the Juken Nissho plant, and this has been

excluded on the basis that it is located a reasonable distance from other sources, and has had

several years of PM10 monitoring that shows concentrations do not get higher than 60% of the

standard.

The Category 2 designation has been made on the basis of current emissions, and the results

of monitoring that has not shown high concentrations. This should be reviewed within 5

years, given the level of development occurring. Two areas are suggested, although they are

adjacent to each other, on the basis that one is defined as industrial and the other essentially

urban, separated by the airport and racecourse.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for the Gisborne District are:

None at this stage


Category 2 Gisborne city central and environs

Category 2 Gisborne city south industrial zone



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Gisborne Region Proposed LAMAs

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Hawke’s Bay LAMA Summary

The Napier / Hastings / Taradale area contains the largest portion of the population and most

of the industrial discharges in the region. It is growing and some parts experience poor air

quality at times. The Category 1 LAMAs of central Napier and central Hastings are not

strongly connected, but a large Category 2 LAMA is suggested for the entire peri-urban area.

The Awatoto foreshore area has been identified on the basis of emissions, but should be

considered marginal because of its small size and exposure to winds. The Hastings LAMA

may be extended to include more of Taradale, but at this stage insufficient

emissions/monitoring information is available.

Three medium sized towns are also suggested for Category 2 LAMAs.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for the Hawke’s Bay Region are:

Napier

Hastings

Awatoto / Foreshore*

* Marginal due to small size and exposure


Category 2 Outer Napier through outer Hastings and Taradale to Whirinaki

Category 2 Wairoa

Category 2 Waipawa

Category 2 Waipukurau



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Hawke’s Bay Region Proposed LAMAs

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Taranaki LAMA Summary

Taranaki has a number of significant industries, and a number of small to medium sized

towns. However the region is exposed to relatively strong winds and emissions are dispersed

and well distributed spatially – even in New Plymouth. Using PM10 as the current criteria

(others may be used at a later stage), Taranaki has no Category 1 LAMAs, but several

Category 2.

Large industries in the region are covered by air discharge consents.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for the Taranaki Region are:

None at this stage


Category 2 New Plymouth urban area

Category 2 Waitara

Category 2 Inglewood

Category 2 Stratford

Category 2 Eltham

Category 2 Normanby/ Hawerau

Category 2 Opunake



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Taranaki Region Proposed LAMAs

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Manawatu-Wanganui LAMA Summary

Much of Manawatu-Wanganui is exposed plains, with good ventilation and dispersion.

Pollution emissions densities are not great, except perhaps in central Palmerston North,

central Wanganui, and in the relatively high emissions or sheltered towns of Taumaranui and

Taihape.

A relatively large Category 2 LAMA is suggested for the broad area surrounding Palmerston

North and Fielding, on the basis that emissions anywhere through this area on a calm day

could spread around over several kilometres (albeit an uncommon event).

Some smaller centres have been included as Category 2 LAMAs.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for the Wanganui / Manawatu Region are:

Palmerston North

Wanganui

Taumaranui

Taihape


Category 2 Outer Palmerston North / Fielding

Category 2 Outer Wanganui

Category 2 Ohakune

Category 2 Waiouru

Category 2 Levin

Category 2 Dannevirke

Category 2 Fielding

Category 2 Pahiatua

Category 2 Marton

Category 2 Ashhurst



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Manawatu- Wanganui Region Proposed LAMAs

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Wellington LAMA Summary

LAMAs in Wellington are strongly influenced by geophysical features – the steep hills and

valleys serve as effective barriers to the transport of PM10 around the region. In the

Wairarapa, the emission can spread further, but are constrained to localised areas by the small

size of the sources.

The use of CAUs as working units can skew the selection of LAMAs. For instance Lower

Hutt and Upper Hutt may be considered separate airsheds, but are connected as one LAMA

on the map. Similarly, the Wellington central – Johnsonville – Tawa - Porirua – Paramata –

Plimmerton corridor is designated all as one LAMA, but may indeed be several LAMAs that

are connected because they are adjacent. Due to the overall windiness and exposure of much

of the Wellington City and northern suburbs, exceedences may be uncommon but a

recommended for Category 1 LAMAs on the basis of emissions levels and topography that

could result in occasional exceedences.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for the Greater Wellington Region are:

Wellington City to Plimmerton

Lower Hutt / Upper Hutt

Wainuomata

Masterton

Carterton

Greytown

Featherstone

Martinborough


Category 2 Wellington northern suburbs

Category 2 Wellington western suburbs

Category 2 North Miramar peninsula

Category 2 Outer Masterton

Category 2 Titahi Bay

Category 2 Pukerua Bay

Category 2 Kapiti Coast – Paekakariki to Otaki



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Wellington Region Proposed LAMAs

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Marlborough LAMA Summary

There are two urban areas of Marlborough that are likely to experience air pollution problems

(apart from specifically consented industries), and only one of these – central Blenheim needs

to be considered as a Category 1 LAMA that may have exceedences.

Picton and the peri-urban Blenheim area are suggested as Category 2 LAMAs only at this

stage.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for Marlborough are:

Blenheim


Category 2 Outer Blenheim

Category 2 Picton



25

Marlborough Region Proposed LAMAs

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Nelson LAMA Summary

Nelson City is the smallest territorial local authority (in terms of area) that needs to establish

airsheds.

The LAMAs are closely aligned to urban areas, but the Nelson/Tahunanui/Richmond area

presents a special challenge. These areas exhibit complex emissions and air pollution patterns

that are being analysed in detail by the Nelson and Tasman Councils. A single Category 1

LAMA is suggested for Nelson/Tahunanui, but these could be considered separate airsheds,

with separate management policies.

This region warrants further more detailed investigation and revised LAMAs may need to be

developed. In particular a special arrangement needs to be managed between Nelson City and

Tasman District, as this is the one region in the country where Category 1 LAMAs have

influences across a TLA boundary.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for Nelson City are:

Nelson / Port / Tahunanui*

* These may be optimally split into finer scale separate airsheds for management purposes.


Category 2 North Nelson



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Nelson Region Proposed LAMAs

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Tasman LAMA Summary

Tasman District has growth all along the Tasman Bay foreshore but its major industries are

located in the Richmond area.

This area is adjoined to the southern part of Nelson City’s industrial areas and represents the

one area in New Zealand where cross boundary transport of air pollution between category 1

LAMAs is likely.

A single Category 1 LAMA is suggested for Richmond however this needs to be considered

along with the Category 1 LAMA suggested for Nelson’s Tahunanui area. There may be

some impact on the air quality in Richmond from discharges in Tahunanui and vice versa.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for Tasman District are:

Richmond


Category 2 Outer Richmond to Ruby Bay

Category 2 Motueka

Category 2 Murchison



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Tasman Region Proposed LAMAs

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Canterbury LAMA Summary

The Canterbury Region is unique in this process in that Christchurch has had a Clean Air

Zone for many years – that is akin to the LAMA concept. Environment Canterbury have a

considerable amount of information and experience that will supplement the guidance on

LAMAs presented here, and have developed this further in their current Air Plan. However

the LAMA information is given for national consistency.

Christchurch, and several regional cities and towns experience high PM10 levels in winter, and

are obvious cases for Category 1 LAMAs. However the extent of the boundaries (by CAU

here) may not line up with current clean air zones as managed by the Council, and may need

adjusting (although some attempt has been made to do this, as the boundaries have been

determined using the exact same criteria as required for LAMAs).

Some smaller towns may need to be considered for Category 2 LAMAs in addition to those

listed here.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for the Canterbury Region are:

Christchurch City

Belfast

Kaiapoi

Rangiora

Ashburton

Timaru

Waimate

Kaikoura


Category 2 Outer Christchurch – from

Woodend to Lincoln

(perhaps further)

Category 2 Outer Ashburton

Category 2 Outer Timaru

Category 2 Amberley

Category 2 Hamner Springs

Category 2 Lyttleton

Category 2 Fairlie

Category 2 Geraldine

Category 2 Tekapo

Category 2 Twizel


Thus there are 8 Category 1, 10 Category 2 and 1 Category 3 LAMAs

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Canterbury Region Proposed LAMAs

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West Coast LAMA Summary

The West Coast region has very few sources emissions and is well ventilated. Only four relatively

small LAMAs are suggested. However in each of these, due to wintertime use of wood and coal for

heating, high pollution levels can occur, and it is recommended these be Category 1 LAMAs.

The major industrial plant near Westport is covered by an air discharge consent, but it is close

enough to the town of Westport to be included in its LAMA.

No Category 2 LAMAs are suggested, as the urban areas are relatively small and compact.

Some smaller centres – such as Inangahua may need to be considered for inclusion at a later stage.

Reefton is marginal, on account of its very small size.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for West Coast Region are:

Westport

Greymouth

Hokitika

Reefton*

* Optional due to the small size of this centre


Category 2 None



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West Coast Region Proposed LAMAs

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Otago LAMA Summary

Otago has a number of centres with relatively high emissions due to wood and coal use for home

heating and coal-fired boilers in industrial processes. It can also experience short term and

widespread high PM10 concentrations due to agricultural burn-offs.

The LAMA setting process for Dunedin is not straightforward, due to the complex geophysical

structure of the city, and its proximity to the industrial areas of Mosgiel. The initial suggestion is

for two separate LAMAs, but there is a justification, and some merit, in rolling these together.

A number of relatively small centres have been suggested for Category 1 LAMAs on the basis that

there home heating emissions are known to lead to high winter-time PM10 concentrations and in

some cases may result in exceedence of the standard.

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for the Otago Region are:

Dunedin

Mosgiel

Balclutha

Milton

Oamaru

Wanaka

Arrowtown

Queenstown

Cromwell

Alexandra


Category 2 Greater Dunedin/Mosgiel / Otago Peninsula

Category 2 Outer Oamaru



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Otago Region Proposed LAMAs

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Southland LAMA Summary

Southland has a number of areas with high concentrations of PM10, most often in winter, and mainly

due to the burning of wood and coal for home heating, and coal for industrial processes. Other

sources, such as vehicle emissions are likely to contribute only in one or two of the larger urban

areas. The region can also experience short term and widespread high PM10 concentrations due to

agricultural burn-offs in autumn.

The region also has a number of large industrial dischargers that in many cases are close to

urbanised areas. Although these dischargers are managed by resource consent, there are other

sources in these areas that may lead to elevated PM10 and should be included within a LAMA.

The key areas –are in the urban communities of Invercargill, Gore, Mataura, Edendale, and Winton,

and these are the only Category 1 LAMAs proposed

In summary, the suggested LAMAs for the Southland Region are:

Invercargill

Gore

Mataura

Edendale

Winton


Category 2 Outer Invercargill

Category 2 Te Anau

Category 2 Nightcaps

Category 2 Wallacetown

Category 2 Makarewa

Category 2 Ohai

Category 2 Otautau



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Southland Region Proposed LAMA

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Appendix 9 High definition map – North Island

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Appendix High definition map – South Island

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The following Appendices have been omitted from this “Summary” document. They are available

in full in the associated “Full” version, which is 110 pages long.

Appendix 1 - Definition of LAMAs

Appendix 2 - PM10 Emissions from Home Heating

Appendix 3 - PM10 Emissions from Motor Vehicles

Appendix 4 - PM10 Emissions from Industry

Appendix 5 - Accounting for the Effect of Meteorology

Appendix 6 - The Influence of Geophysical Features

Appendix 7 - Development of LAMAs for Other Pollutants

Appendix 8 - Category 1 and 2 LAMA Details

Defining New Zealand's Airsheds

Technology

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