Proposal to set up combined Taranaki Rural Fire District

Just over a week remains for public input on proposed changes to the way Taranaki’s rural fire services are governed, managed and administered.

The three District Councils within Taranaki and the Department of Conservation (DoC) have agreed to merge their existing rural fire districts to form a single Taranaki Rural Fire District, effective from 1 July 2013.

South Taranaki District Council (STDC) chief executive, Craig Stevenson, says the aim of the proposal is to create a more focussed and co-ordinated service for the Taranaki region.

“The proposed new entity, governed by a Board of seven directors and managed by a full time Principal Rural Fire Officer, will undertake all rural fire functions previously carried out by the Councils and DoC. At an operational level there will be little change except that training and support for rural fire volunteers will be enhanced,” says Mr Stevenson.

Details of the “Proposal to Establish an Enlarged Rural Fire District in Taranaki” are available from any of the Council Service Centres, the STDC LibraryPlus facilities and the DoC office in New Plymouth. Alternatively it can be found on the STDC website www.southtaranaki.com .

Submissions should be sent to the National Rural Fire Authority, PO Box 2133, Wellington before 4pm on Thursday 31st January 2013.

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