Town may have to go coalfire free

REEFTON, with an old coalmine on its very doorstep, may have to abandon its coal fires.

Seven years ago, when a coal ban was mooted there, some people said they would go to jail rather than give up their fires.

Now the Zero Carbon Bill, if passed into law, means coal fires will probably disappear New Zealandwide.

Buller district councillor Graeme Neylon said that when the ban was last suggested at Reefton, the West Coast

Regional Council came up with a device to capture coal smoke particles in the chimney.

However, with no subsidies offered, it was far too expensive for people to install.

‘‘I can’t imagine Reefton without fires,’’ Cr Neylon said.

In Greymouth, Grey district councillor Peter Haddock said the West Coast and many South Island areas had much colder winters than the northern regions, including Auckland.

‘‘It is difficult to warm homes and schools with lower energy fuels.

‘‘Health of elderly has to be considered, and colder regions should be supported with energy subsidies if we are to meet the goal.’’

Regional councillor and miner Allan Birchfield was on the council when it looked at controlling air pollution in Reefton.

In the end, the council simply moved the air sensor equipment and the pollution levels fell, he said. — Greymouth Star