Selwyn Times: May 09, 2018

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Wednesday May 9 2018 11
Local
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Water access concerns for rural fire brigades
• By Georgia O’Connor-Harding
RURAL FIRE brigades are at
odds with Fire and Emergency
New Zealand over how they will
source their water in the future.
The Sheffield, Hororata and
Springfield brigades are calling
for more communication over
what alternative water supplies
will be available in the future
and how they will be factored
into the Central Plains Water
Scheme.
It comes as more water races
are set to close in Malvern, with
the district council approving
the closure of 10.9km of water
races in March.
Central Plains is expected to
be fully established in the next
12 months.
But FENZ has guaranteed
alternative water supplies will be
made available.
FENZ principal rural fire
officer Darrin Wood said he
CHANGE: Rural fire brigades are concerned how they will be
factored into the Central Plains Water Scheme as more water
races close.
can ensure provisions will be
made in Central Plains to put in
hydrants.
Mr Woods said Central Plains
has made its water races available
for helicopter dipping operations
and fire brigades have belly tanks
available.
His views were backed by Canterbury
area commander Dave
Berry who said he was happy
with communication from Central
Plains and has previously
met with the brigades over the
issue.
But Springfield chief fire officer
Grant Williams said there needs
to be more reassurance as the
brigades have not heard when
the hydrants will be established.
Sheffield senior firefighter
Graeme Piper said there has
been difficulty in getting Central
Plains representatives and the
district council together to discuss
the supplies.
“We would like more information
from them. It is pretty
important for us,” he said.
Hororata senior station officer
Roger Parsons said it was asked
to write plans on where it wanted
the hydrants located in Central
Fire rages, homes at risk
Plains but have heard nothing
since.
He said he has told FENZ
“heaps of times” that Hororata’s
only two hydrants are 5km away
from the township.
But Kirwee chief fire officer
Stuart Jones said the scheme is
still being completed and it is
up to FENZ to decide where the
hydrants go, not the brigades.
A Central Plains spokeswoman
told Selwyn Times it is
not engaging directly with the
regional fire brigades and FENZ
will communicate with them
once requirements are finalised.
She said it is important to
keep in mind Central Plains is a
private scheme and helping the
brigades it is something they are
offering to assist with.
•HAVE YOUR SAY: Are you
concerned about the Central
Plains Water Scheme?
Email your views to georgia.
oconnor@starmedia.kiwi
Event raises $10k for quarry fight
• By Emily O’Connell
LAUGHTER REALLY was
the best medicine last Saturday
night as residents raised more
than $10,000 for the fight
against a proposed quarry near
Templeton.
The comedic event, which was
held in the Rolleston Community
Centre, had broadcaster Gary
McCormick and Invercargill
Mayor Tim Shadbolt entertain
to the crowd of more than 250
people for about three hours.
There has been widespread
opposition to the planned
quarry on Dawsons, Curraghs
and Jones Rds. Fulton Hogan
says the quarry, which would be
on a 170ha section of land, will
be there for up to 40 years.
Residents have voiced concerns
about the potential health
risks, water issues and devaluing
of properties.
The money raised from
FUNDRAISER: More than $10,000 was raised on Saturday night for the Templeton Residents’
Association’s fight against the proposed quarry in the area. (Right) – Association chairman Garry
Kilday (left), Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt and event organiser Joanne McMaster.
Laughter Is The Best Medicine
will go to the Templeton Residents’
Association for ongoing
costs including hiring experts.
Joanne McMaster, from
the Templeton Residents’
Association – No Quarry’s subcommittee,
organised the event.
She said the night of comedy
had the audience “in stitches”
from start to finish.
“Although this was a great
start to the fundraising activities,
it’s a far cry from the $250,000-
$300,000 we may require to
fight Fulton Hogan’s proposed
170ha quarry on our doorstep,”
Miss McMaster said.
She said it’s a “daunting exercise”
going up against Fulton
Hogan.
“[Fulton Hogan] has every
resource at its fingertips and we
are working tirelessly to oppose
it without any funding while juggling
our families and work commitments,”
Miss McMaster said.
Fulton Hogan recently said in
a newsletter it will not submit
any resource consent application
to the Selwyn District Council
or Environment Canterbury
before July.
There’s
much more
to come
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