Air pollution

Sugar Cane Burning and Ash

Sugar cane has been grown in the Northern Rivers since the 1860s and since 1935 the crop has been burnt prior to harvesting.

Council must work within the regulatory framework provided by the Environmental Protection Authority. Section 12(4)(b) of the Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2021 - NSW Legislation states: 'an air pollution offence is not created when vegetation is burnt for agricultural practices'.

Council is currently unable to regulate this practice and instead advises concerned parties to contact the Cane Growers Association on 02 6683 4205 to lodge concerns. Air Pollution can also be reported to the NSW EPA Pollution Line on 131 555.

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Using Wood Heaters correctly

The use of wood heaters can generate excessive smoke having a negative impact on neighbours and air quality if not correctly installed and operated. Wood smoke contains numerous pollutants such as dioxins and volatile organic compounds. Particles in smoke can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis

Improve air quality

• Always burn small logs of aged, dry hardwood – unseasoned wood has more moisture, which makes a heater smoke
• Store wood under cover in a dry and well ventilated area
• Use plenty of dry kindling to establish a good fire quickly
• Never burn rubbish, driftwood, treated or painted wood, which pollute the air and can be poisonous
• Keep the flame lively and bright; your fire should only smoke for a few minutes when you first light it and when you add extra fuel
• Don’t let your heater smoulder overnight, keep enough air in the fire to maintain a flame
• Check your chimney regularly for smoke, if there is smoke coming from the chimney, increase the air supply to your fire
• Have your chimney flue cleaned and checked before winter begins each year.

Installing a wood heater

If you are considering installing a wood heater, ensure:

• The wood heater is installed by a suitably qualified tradesperson
• The wood heater has a compliance plate or documentation from the manufacturer indicating that the heater meets compliance with the Australian standards
• The wood heater is installed so the flue/chimney top is at least 4.6 metres above the bottom of the heater box
• The flue/chimney is at least 1 metre above roof penetration
• The flue/chimney is not situated at a level with a neighbour’s window, particularly if homes are located higher up the slope.

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Backyard Burning

Council’s Backyard Burning Policy has been implemented to better control backyard burning especially in closely settled area. The Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2022 - NSW Legislation and Schedule 1 forms the basis of this policy which aims to prevent air pollution and eliminate nuisance caused by smoke and odour generated by inefficient backyard burning.

Any person when burning has a general obligation to prevent or minimise air pollution. This includes taking into account the potential impacts on any person.

The burning of certain items such as tyres, coated wire, paint and solvent containers and residues and timber treated with copper chromium arsenate (CCA) or pentachlorophenol (PCB) are prohibited except where exempt under the above Regulation.

The burning of domestic waste is prohibited throughout the Shire except where no domestic waste collection service is available.

During the Bush Fire Danger Period you will need to obtain a fire permit for most fires carried out in the open. There are also general requirements at other times of the year. For more details regarding these requirements please contact Fire and Rescue NSW  or the  NSW Rural Fire Service.

The Backyard Burning Policy applies restrictions to the burning of vegetation in areas within the towns and villages and known urban zonings. Maps which clearly delineate where the restrictions on burning vegetation apply form part of the Policy and are available below. Burning of vegetation in these areas is restricted except when exempt.

Exemptions

There are exemptions which allow you to still roast marshmallows and watch the bush telly. Exemptions include but are not limited to:

• bush fire hazard reduction work under the Rural Fires Act 1997
• to cook or barbeque in the open, or to light, maintain or use a fire for recreational purposes such as camping, scouting or other similar activities
• to burn vegetation, in the course of carrying out agricultural operations, on premises on which the vegetation grew
• to burn anything for the purposes of the giving of instructions in methods of fire fighting by an officer or member of a fire fighting authority

Fines

Even though an activity may be exempt, any person is still obligated to prevent or minimise pollution and take into account the potential impacts. Breaches may lead to a penalty infringement notice of up to $1000.

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Resources

• Backyard Burning Policy (2.98mb pdf)
• NSW Health website - Do's and Don'ts of wood heating
• NSW Health website - Wood burning heaters and your health
• NSW Health website - Unflued gas heaters
• Sugar Cane Burning and Ash Factsheet

Maps of restricted backyard burning areas (updated August 2021):

• Alstonville map (0.2mb pdf)
• Ballina Island map (0.4mb pdf)
• East Ballina map (0.3mb pdf)
• West Ballina map (0.2mb pdf) 
• Ballina Heights & Cumbalum map (1.68mb pdf)
• Lennox Head & Skennars Head map (2.1mb pdf)
• Wardell map (0.1mb pdf)
• Wollongbar map (0.1mb pdf)