Hazardous Substances
Hazardous substances are classified as highly flammable liquids or gasses (e.g. petrol, diesel, LPG, etc) and waste oil, chemicals and asbestos (poisons, corrosives, etc). Far North District Council monitoring officers are responsible for hazardous substances stored or used in dwellings and public places. Please contact us if you have any queries or concerns about the storage or use of hazardous substances in dwellings and public places.
Fireworks & Explosives - Enquiries & Complaints
If there is a threat to life or property, contact Police immediately on 111.
Otherwise, contact the Northland Regional Council (NRC) Environmental Hotline 0800 504639. NRC also deals with the advertising, display, distribution, sale and storage of fireworks.
Far North District Council does not investigate the use of fireworks. If the use of fireworks is causing a fire hazard please contact the Fire Brigade. Requests to organise public fireworks displays should be referred to the Fire Service.
Disposal of Hazardous Substances
Small, household amounts of hazardous goods and chemicals can be taken to two storage facilities within the Far North District.
- Wrightsons NMA in Waipapa phone: 09 4079714
- Wrightsons NMA in Kaitaia phone: 09 4086200
- Northland Regional Council – Environmental Hotline 0800 504 639
Waste oil can be taken to the nearest recycling centre. For information on disposal of any other hazardous substance, or any substance in commercial quantities, please contact the NRC Environmental Hotline 0800 504639.
Disposal of Asbestos
Queries regarding asbestos that is causing a health problem should be directed to an Environmental Health Officer on 0800 KERIDHB (0800 5374342).
NOTE: Far North District Council does NOT dispose of asbestos. Refer to an Environmental Health Officer on 0800 KERIDHB (0800 5374342) or OSH on 09 4380552.
More information can also be found about testing for and disposing of asbestos by contacting the Ministry of Health on 04 5663312.
General recommendations include:
- Wear protective clothing
- Keep sheets intact, i.e. do not smash it up
- Spray water on it and keep it damp to minimize dust
- Wrap securely in plastic film (such as silage film) and tape it up securely
Other Issues
The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) deals with most hazardous substance issues. Contact ERMA on 0800 376 234 or visit their website for information about:
- Local certifiers of the Location Test Certificate (formerly the Dangerous Goods Licence)
- Storage of hazardous substances, poisons or chemicals.
- Changes in legislation
- Requests for inspections or testing of pipelines or tanks etc
Page created/updated: 9 December 2008 at 3:32 pm - Go to top
