This Saturday (28 March) the Milton Clean Heat Clean Expo is being held at the Coronation Hall in Milton. The expo marks the inclusion of the South Otago town in the Otago Warm Homes Clean Heat Clean Air programme, which already runs in Alexandra, Cromwell, Clyde and Arrowtown.

Otago Regional Council (ORC) Regional Services Manager Jeff Donaldson said that several stands will be operating at the expo to offer locals advice on the scheme, including one from Council and several ORC heating appliance and insulation suppliers. The expo is aimed at promoting the programme to anyone interested and will give them a chance to find out more about the appliances and insulation available. It is free and runs from 10am to 4pm.

The heating appliance replacement programme, which began in March last year, helps householders with the cost of replacing non-complying coal or multi-fuel burners or an open fire with an approved clean heating appliance. The programme also subsidises the cost of home insulation and its installation throughout the wider Otago region.

"The idea for the programme was originally sparked by the ORC's desire to meet government's clean air standards that are designed to be in force in New Zealand by 2013, and concerns for public health, especially the young and elderly who are more susceptible to ill health due to cold damp houses and air pollution," Mr Donaldson said.

Milton recorded a higher number of severe pollution days last winter than in the Airzone 1 towns of Arrowtown, Clyde and Cromwell and Milton residents can now apply to join the programme.

The Clean Heat Clean Air Milton programme is sponsored by ORC, EECA, the Clutha District Council, Otago Southern PHO and the Community Trust of Otago. Mr Donaldson said Milton residents have also been sent a brochure in the mail advising them about the scheme and how it operates.