Dust suppression changes in 2023
The Dunedin City Council (DCC) has changed the way we fund and administer dust suppression on gravel roads.
In the past, dust suppression involved spreading waste motor oil on gravel roads where there are adjacent houses. In 2020, the DCC replaced the waste motor oil with more environmentally friendly ‘bio-oil’ products. In 2022, the Otago Regional Council also prohibited the use of waste motor oil.
The DCC has determined that we can achieve better suppression outcomes and reduce long-term costs by replacing the bio-oil with something called ‘Otta’ sealing. This results in a chipseal-like surface which will prevent dust year-round. We will be working with our contractors to transition to this method over the next few years.
Changes to dust suppression costs
The DCC has previously funded the full cost of dust suppression on unsealed roads, however the change from using waste oil to bio-oil has come with increased cost.
The council has decided the cost of dust suppression activities will be shared equally between applicants and the DCC. From now, if residents apply for dust suppression adjacent to their property, they will be required to meet 50% of the cost of that treatment.
Bio-oil can give mixed results and its effects diminish after three months. We can achieve better suppression outcomes and reduce long-term costs by replacing the bio-oil with something called ‘Otta’ sealing. This results in a chipseal-like surface which will prevent dust year-round, and the DCC will guarantee that it will last for five years, meaning it is a one-off cost with better outcomes. Applicants can expect to save around $1750 over a five-year period by using Otta rather than bio-oil.
The full cost for the 2024/25 summer has been set as $7.00/m² for bio-oil and $30.00/m² for Otta sealing. This means that for a typical area (100m long/500m²) the cost to the applicant would be $1,750 for one bio-oil application each year, or $7,500 for Otta sealing (depending on the total area that is agreed), which is guaranteed to last five years.
Applications open for dust suppression
Applicants are able to apply for dust suppression adjacent to their property but must do so before 1 September each year to be included in this programme of work, which is undertaken in summer.
To qualify for dust suppression, a residence must be within 100m of the unsealed road.
Upon an application from a resident, DCC staff will determine whether your road is suitable for bio-oil, or whether it is appropriate to be Otta sealed.
To apply for dust suppression, residents can fill in a Fix-It Form.
A reminder that applications for dust suppression close 1 September each year.
Frequently asked questions
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Why is the DCC charging applicants for dust suppression this year?
Three years ago, the DCC replaced the waste motor oil with more environmentally friendly ‘bio-oil’ products. The DCC has previously funded the full cost of dust suppression on unsealed roads, however the change from using waste oil to bio-oil has come with increased cost.
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Who is eligible to have dust suppression?
To qualify for dust suppression, a residence must be within 100m of the unsealed road.
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Which is the better choice, Otta seal or bio-oil?
Bio-oil can achieve mixed results and its effects diminish after three months. Otta seal will control dust year-round, and the DCC will guarantee this for five years, meaning it is a one-off cost with better outcomes.
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Will I need to pay the same cost again after five years with Otta seal?
At the end of five years, residents who apply to continue with the Otta seal, will be required to meet 50% of the costs for continued resurfacing. We do not yet know these costs; however, they will be significantly less than the initial costs for Otta sealing.
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How do I apply for dust suppression?
You can apply for dust suppression by filling out a Fix it Form. Applications close 1 September each year.