Dust suppression programme shifts focus to community gathering places

Far North District Council is changing its approach to dust suppression this year, shifting treatment from short sections of road outside individual homes to areas near community facilities.

The change follows a decision by the Te Koukou Committee for Transport and Infrastructure on 16 September to prioritise the 2026/27 programme's $500,000 budget towards areas where treatment will benefit the most people.

Treatment will focus on unsealed roads near education facilities, marae, community halls and places of worship. Depending on the site, it may extend up to 500m along the road to include nearby playgrounds, sports fields and parking areas.

For years, the council has provided temporary dust suppression outside individual homes on unsealed roads, a level of service understood to be unique among New Zealand councils.

However, demand continues to far exceed the available funding, which is paid for entirely by ratepayers.

Far North District Councillor and Te Koukou committee member Ann Court acknowledged the change would likely disappoint residents who had previously received treatment, but said the committee had to make difficult decisions about where limited funding would have the greatest impact.

“We know dust is a real problem for people living on unsealed roads, and we recognise that some residents will miss out this season,” Cr Court said.

“By focusing on places where tamariki, kaumātua and wider communities regularly gather, we can make sure the funding benefits more people, more often.”

The Far North has approximately 1600km of unsealed roads, with treating every eligible section estimated to cost more than $7 million annually.

At around $20,000 per kilometre, the current budget can treat approximately 25km, less than two per cent of the district's unsealed road network, with treatment typically lasting up to three months.

Cr Court said the council acknowledged that dust was a genuine concern for residents, including those whose properties may no longer qualify for treatment.

“We understand this will be difficult for some residents, but we need an approach that makes the best use of limited funding and is consistent, transparent and fair across the district.”

Unsealed roads will continue to receive regular grading, drainage and safety maintenance.

Alongside these changes, the council is developing a longer-term, evidence-based approach to managing road dust, including building a stronger case for future funding from NZTA Waka Kotahi and other sources for more permanent solutions, such as road sealing.

“There is no quick fix, but we want to move beyond temporary treatments and work towards lasting solutions for our communities,” Cr Court said.

Dust suppression treatment is expected to begin in early December, with a list of selected sites to be published on the council's website.

For more information about the changes, or to check whether a community site may be eligible for treatment, visit Dust Suppression | Far North District Council.

The Dust Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6spUmd3iV8w

Dust Mitigation The Road Ahead - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHRJkxdfWmA