Chapter 9
Environmental Infrastructure
Issues / Recommendations / Observations
Sub. No.
Chief Executive’s Response & Recommendation
support the actions of the City Council’s Air Quality Strategy 2021 -2026, when it is finalised and its successors. b. To continue to monitor air quality results submitted from selected locations throughout the City in co-operation with the Environmental Protection Agency and support the creation of a regional air quality and greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Smoking is subject to separate legislation and is outside the scope of the Development Plan. Recommendation: No change. Guidance on light pollution is set out in paragraph 9.29 which states that external lighting should be designed to minimise the potential for light pollution or light spillage to surrounding properties. In addition, Objective 9.18 External Lighting requires that external lighting proposals minimise the harmful effects of light pollution, are energy efficient and do not have an excessive impact on residential or visual amenity, biodiversity or result in the distraction of road users. Policy guidance is considered sufficient in this regard and lighting proposals are assessed as part of the development management process. The matter of non-compliance with planning conditions for specific developments is an enforcement matter outside the scope of the development plan. Recommendation: No change.
In terms of improving air quality, smoking should be recognised as a health issue, and the need to prevent smoking and having more designated smoking areas outdoors is recommended.
203
Light Pollution
Light pollution is not being adequately addressed by the planning process. New developments such as tall buildings bring light pollution. As efficient as lighting may be, we would welcome city wide guidelines to switch lights off when offices are closed or not occupied.
433, 435
371
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