DRAFT LTP book.indb - Hurunui District Council

www.hurunui.govt.nzServiceRelevant CommunityOutcomesRelevant Issues &ConstraintsWho benefi ts, and overwhat periodFuture Funding & SustainabilityEnvironment andSafety – Rural FireThe Council’s fundingof Rural Fire servicecontributes to theHurunui district being:A desirable and safe placeto live:- We have attractive welldesigned townships- Communities haveaccess to adequatehealth and emergencyservices and systemsand resources areavailable to meet civildefence emergencies- Risks to public healthare identifi ed andappropriately managedA place that demonstratesenvironmentalresponsibility:- We protect ourenvironment whilepreserving people’sproperty rights- We minimise solidwaste to the fullestextent, and manage therest in a sustainablewayRural communities benefi tmore than others from thisservice, hence there arebenefi ts to transparency andaccountability from fundingthis service distinctly fromother services, and notsignifi cant costs involved.It is questionable whether ornot urban ratepayers withinthe District should contributeto the provision of a ruralfi re service. The assistancethat the rural brigades maketo the urban areas is offsetby reciprocal arrangement ofurban brigades to turn out torural fi res.The New Zealand Fire Servicemay attend rural fi res with thefi rst hour being at no charge.There is a subsidy applied bygovernment.The predominant benefi t isto properties in the defi nedrural fi re areas, but there isa benefi t to the District asa whole, and to the nationas a whole in mitigating theenvironmental and economiceffects of vegetation fi res.Benefi ts from operationalexpenditure are spread overthe fi nancial year to whichthey apply.Fighting fi res:• Property owner pays. In some instancesthere may be a portion of the fi refi ghting costs that may not be able tobe recovered. Such cost will need to berecovered in line with other costs.Other costs:• After taking Government grants intoaccount, 80% from ratepayers in theRural Fire Authority area and 20%from ratepayers outside the Rural FireAuthority area. Both will be collectedby way of a Targeted Rate known as theRural Fire Rate.Sustainability:• The negative impact of the cost of thisservice is offset by the social wellbeingthrough having a safe and healthycommunities.246