In response to the Ministry for the Environment deeming the Mount Industrial area a polluted airshed, the Mount Air Quality Working Party was established in December 2020.
This group has representatives from Whareoa Marae, five industrial businesses (Lawter, Ballance, J.Swap, Port of Tauranga, and Waste Management), Clear the Air community group, Ministry for the Environment, Tauranga City Council, Bay of Plenty District Health Board and Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
This Working Party creates a platform for identifying key issues, determining the appropriate group(s) to resolve these issues, sharing information and contributing to initiatives. The group meets four times per year. It gives iwi partners, organisations and stakeholders a quarterly forum and engagement opportunity for those interested in this airshed’s community, health and environmental outcomes.
Ultimately, the group aims to clear the air in the Mount Maunganui Industrial Area and reduce discharges by enabling involvement and participation from key groups.