A ribbon-cutting with a difference will mark the launch today of the country's largest rural fire authority, covering about 4.2 million hectares.
Instead of a ribbon, a ''danger'' tape will be cut at the Clyde Rural Fire Centre this afternoon, to mark the creation of the Otago Rural Fire Authority. Six rural fire authorities managed by Otago's local authorities and the Department of Conservation have merged to form the new organisation, which will take effect from July 1.
The existing fire authorities were the Central Otago District Council, Clutha District Council, Dunedin City Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Waitaki District Council and Doc.
The newly appointed chief executive and principal rural fire officer for Otago, Stephanie Rotarangi, said ''challenges and benefits'' came with being the largest rural fire authority in the country.
''Our rural fire forces have a proud history and will continue to deliver the same fire response and services to landowners, from the same locations,'' she said. The idea of an enlarged Otago fire authority was mooted several years ago and finally approved by all parties late last year. Benefits included more consistent governance, administration and services to firefighters and simpler access for landowners seeking permits and advice.
''One of the real benefits is making things simpler for landowners, especially those with land that covered more than one authority area in the past, each with their own plan and processes.
''From next week, they will have one contact for rural fire and over the next few months we will be working on one fire plan.''
Seven staff have been employed, replacing the same number of fire staff employed by local authorities. Dr Rotarangi is based in Dunedin and other staff in Oamaru, Alexandra and Queenstown, as well as Dunedin. There are also 250 volunteer rural firefighters within the Otago authority.
National Rural Fire officer Murray Dudfield said the National Rural Fire Authority heard submissions on the merger earlier this year and approved it. The aim was to improve the service and there were potential money savings from the scale of the operation, he said. The resources and equipment would be able to be moved around the region.
Mr Dudfield said the Otago merger was the 11th enlarged fire authority in New Zealand and 60% of the country was covered by such authorities. The national body had been promoting the benefits of such a strategy for the past four years.
Otago Rural Fire Authority
• Merger of six rural fire authorities
• Largest rural fire authority in the country, covering about 4.2 million ha
• Operating budget $1.7 million, more than $4 million in assets
• Employs seven staff
• Aim to improve governance, risk management, training and delivery of services.
• Takes effect from July 1.
