14 February 2013

Auckland fire ban remains in place

Despite some signs of cooler weather and recent brief periods of drizzle, Aucklanders are being reminded fire danger is still very high and the region-wide fire ban remains firmly in place.

Bryan Cartelle, Principal Rural Fire Officer, says people shouldn’t be fooled by slightly colder weather conditions.

“We certainly are not yet in a position to lift the fire ban; it remains in place for good reason. This is not the time to become complacent and we ask locals and visitors to Auckland to keep taking extra precautions while we continue to face heightened fire danger.

“While we welcome the little rain we’ve had, it has done little to alleviate risk the short term risks.

“We have already seen the frightening side of what can come with a dry and hot summer and currently a complete fire ban is still necessary and the safest option.”

Solid fuel (coal and wood) barbeques and retail type fireworks remain banned at all beaches, parks and reserves. Anyone using bbqs at home should take extra care especially around grass, shrubs and trees that remain very dry.

The fire ban includes Great Barrier, Kawau, Waiheke, and all other Hauraki Gulf Islands, as well as Auckland’s urban areas, which are serviced by the New Zealand Fire Service.

For further information, including any queries regarding fire permits, please visit the rural fires page on our website or call Auckland Council on 09 3010101 to speak to one of the rural fire team.

Anyone who sees a fire or suspicious smoke should call the fire service immediately on 111.

The fire ban cancels all existing fire permits and will remain in place until the fire danger is no longer classed as elevated. A council notice will notify the public of this; we do thank you for your collective responsibility.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On The 2013 Budget

Among Thursday’s main talking points:

We are apparently on track for a margin-of-error $75 million surplus, now in sight for 2014/15. But this sickly creature is hobbling out of the lab on the basis of all kinds of facilitative conjuring: such as trimming by $200 million the amount of new spending next time around.

With this strictly nominal surplus in sight, the 1984-ish justification for eternal austerity will have a news talisman: namely, getting Crown debt down to 20% of GDP by 2020. More>>

Budget Report, Lockup Audio & Images: Budget Day 2013 As always and especially after the managerial mishaps of the past few weeks and months, (e.g. Aaron Gilmore, the Mighty River Power share float, the GCSB mishaps) Budget Day 2013 was always going to be a pageant of reassurance... More>>

Budget 2013 Comment: Plain Sailing, But It's No America's Cup Pattrick Smellie: Compared to the last four budgets, this year's reflects an economy moving out of recession and into calmer waters... Yet if the fastest annual growth rate we can expect over the next two years is 3 percent - with the Christchurch rebuild in full swing - then you'd have to say New Zealand's underlying low-growth problem is far from fixed. More>>

Auckland Discord: Govt’s Power Hungry Housing Approach A Threat - Labour

Last week the Government said this, ‘The Government commits not to use any proposed or existing powers ... to override the council's planning and consenting processes’. But its housing Bill says this; ‘If an accord cannot be reached in an area of severe housing unaffordability, the Government can intervene by establishing special housing areas and issuing consents for developers’. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Housing accords legislation passes first reading - Legislation For Housing Accords, Land Supply - Housing package improves affordability, access
• Greens - Budget numbers show National’s failure on home affordability
• Auckland Chamber of Commerce - Budget 2013: Housing intervention needed
• Out-Link - Gareth Morgan: Response to housing problem limp-wristed
• Earlier, Pre-Budget - Auckland Accord announced

Extending Protest Ban, Relaxing Permit Rules: Govt Abuses Urgency To Extend Anadarko Amendment

The Government is trying to pass legislation under urgency which would make the Anadarko Amendment – which limits protest at sea – apply to an additional 1.7 million square kilometres, the Green Party said today. More>>

ALSO:

• Parliament Today - Parliament Resumes To Pass Budget Bills
• Labour - Government to extend protest ban
• Greenpeace NZ - Oil Companies Lacking ‘Expertise’ and ‘Financial Ability’ Set to Be Handed Drilling Permits
• 2010 image via: Pacific.Scoop - Media watcher gives NZ press nil score card for China oil spill coverage