The following letter was published in the Timaru Herald:
It is disappointing to see that the Timaru District Council have decided on a wood fired boiler for the heating of the proposed aquatic centre. I see it as a sign of the Council lacking initiative, expertise and a working relationship with the Canterbury Regional Council.
You don't need to look far afield to find excellent examples of innovation in pool heating systems. Christchurch has led the way locally. The QEII pool is heated by methane gas from the Burwood Landfill. Jellie Park, Centennial and Pioneer pools all utilise geothermal heat pump systems. The Centennial pool heating is also augmented by excess heat from WhisperGen's nearby power plant testing facility.
Councils across the country are increasingly looking to environmentally sustainable and economically efficient means of heating their pools.
It's bad enough that the Council prefer wood, but to ensure an ongoing supply of firewood, the Council are considering the need to obtain consent to burn wet firewood. Wet firewood produces less heat and more pollutants compared to dry firewood. Residents are not allowed to burn wet firewood in their domestic log burners, and for very good reason. One has to ask why the Council believes that they should be treated any differently.
In 2009 Timaru had 38 high pollution nights, which was by far the highest in the Canterbury region and the worst count for Timaru since 2005. Under current legislation, by 2013 Timaru is only allowed 1 high pollution night per year. The legislation is backed up by well documented health effects of living in areas with high pollution levels. I find it incredible that the Council are not prepared to lead by example on this issue. Historically it's been an area where they haven't been interested in working alongside the Canterbury Regional Council to support a healthier Timaru. With Mayor Annear's scathing remarks towards the Canterbury Regional Council recently, I can't see that changing without a new line-up of councillors sitting at the council table.
Links:
Christchurch Star: Sustainability scheme wins national award (pdf)
Beca: Geothermal Heat Pump Study (pdf)
Christchurch City Council: Capture and use wasted heat
EECA: Current solar and heat pump water heating projects