Orange council backs smoke enforcement policy, including power to extinguish residential fires

Orange City Council has adopted Strategic Policy ST62, giving the council a formal framework for investigating complaints and taking enforcement action, including over excessive woodfire smoke and outdoor fires in residential areas.

The policy, titled Investigation & Enforcement, was adopted without opposition on 21 July.

Council staff told Cr F Kinghorne that excessive woodfire smoke matters are largely brought to the council through complaints. Officers can also investigate smoke they observe while carrying out other duties.

Staff generally begin by writing to the resident involved and providing advice about wood types and clean-burning techniques. If the issue is not resolved, officers inspect the property to understand what is being burned and how the fire is being used, so advice can be tailored to reduce smoke emissions.

The council has the power to issue Smoke Abatement Notices and extinguish outdoor fires in residential areas. Staff said their approach is to educate residents first, while retaining enforcement powers when smoke problems are not resolved.

Cr Kinghorne asked how the council investigates and enforces woodfire smoke regulations, whether investigations are always initiated by complaints and whether safe wood-heater use is routinely promoted during this time of year.

The Manager Development Assessment said staff approach each case with the aim of educating residents. Staff also said they would look into organising a social media campaign about safe burning practices.

Cr S Peterson declared a significant non-pecuniary interest in a matter arising from the policy item because he had provided care to the individual being discussed. He left the meeting at 6.51pm, after the vote, and did not participate in discussion of that matter.

The council also asked for a future report on expenditure associated with homelessness-related issues at Orange Railway Station, including item removal and relocation support. No date was given for the report.