Dunne delighted at Newlands community victory

Ohariu-Belmont MP, Peter Dunne, is delighted that the efforts of local residents have prevented the closing of the Newlands volunteer fire station.

"For almost two years, the residents associations of Newlands-Paparangi and Grenada North, assisted by myself and other community groups, have battled against the fire Service decision to close the station in the name of cost-cutting," he said.

"I'm delighted the Fire Service, and the Minister in charge, George Hawkins, has seen the commonsense of our arguments and reversed the closure.

"I want to compliment the Minister and all the people of the community who banded together to retain this valuable community asset."

Mr Dunne said the proposal to move the Newlands fire brigade to an expanded station in Johnsonville could have put the lives of Newlands residents at risk because of the greater time needed to get to a fire.

"This is a great victory for commonsense and community power and the people of Newlands are entitled to celebrate," he said.

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