The Ministry for the Environment is seeking submissions on potential changes to the proposed National Environment Standard (NES) for the outdoor storage of tyres.
The proposed NES will provide a clearer regulatory approach about how tyres stored outside should be managed under the Resource Management Act of 1991.
A second round of consultation is necessary, says the Ministry for the Environment, due to:
- A new proposal that regional councils, instead of territorial authorities, would be responsible for implementing the NES, which will address concerns about existing use rights
- Consideration of an additional option for reducing the threshold for the volume of tyres that can be stored outdoors on a site before a discretionary activity resource content is required, specifically 100m3, in addition to the 200m3 previous proposed.
- The addition of a proposed permitted activity rule with requirements, for tyre quantities between 40m3 and the threshold for resource consent (100m3 or 200m3).
Tyres stored outdoors is an environmental and human health risk – causing toxic smoke and leachates.
A written submission can be made to tyres@info.mfe.govt.nz. Consultation began February 25 and the closing date for submissions is 5pm March 25, 2020.
A consultation document on the proposal can be found here.
