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Friday 9 October 2020
Firing up potential recruits
Darren Foxwell (foreground) and Brian Hansen (background) of Wainui Volunteer Rural Firefighters simulate the spread of a rural fire. Photo: Ronnie Short. RONNIE SHORT
Last Saturday, between 10am and 1pm, Golden Bay’s emergency services teams put on an impressive “open day” event. Their aim was to recruit more volunteers by educating and inspiring the public. As Philip Woolf, Fire Chief for the Takaka Brigade, explained: “It’s all about the environment and the community.” The initiative was well supported, with police, St John, Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) from the Bay and Nelson, plus local Fire and Emergency, in attendance. “We’ve got Nelson crew here with the elevated platform – which is the big fire truck, which is pretty special. First time for that appliance,” said Philip. He pointed out some of the displays and events of the day, including a blow-up tent used to exit burning buildings. “The message is to get down, get low and get out.” Inside were examples of fire safety supplies, sprinklers and 3D virtual reality goggles. The goggles allow the wearer a totally immersive,
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realistic experience of being guided through a fire. Equipment aside, Philip said there was a pressing need for more personnel. “At the moment we have space in administration support and we are light in firefighters.” Wouter de Maat volunteers for both St John and LandSAR. The LandSAR team experienced a surge of new volunteers following the huge operation that took place on the West Coast of Golden Bay in June. “At the moment we are actually full,” said Wouter. Sara Chapman leads our Civil Defence team. The main Emergency Operations Centre is based in Richmond, and each area has its own local controller. They are known as the New Zealand Response Team (NZRT). The Nelson NZRT specialises in urban rescue, which includes searching buildings, rubble, and flood zones. Behind the Takaka station, a demonstration of the Jaws of Life equipment – used to cut people from damaged vehicles – was watched by an audience of fascinated onlookers.
Darren Foxwell and Brian Hansen of the Wainui Volunteer Rural Firefighters held a dramatic demonstration of grass fire propgation. Dry grass was ignited on a purpose-built incline to show how rapidly fire spreads uphill, but slows as it spreads downhill, only to speed up again on the next incline. Paper houses were consumed by the flames as children watched, shouting “Look! The houses are all being burnt!” The Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) organisation is still evolving and currently a significant amount of training and support for Bay personnel is provided from over the Hill. As many of our local volunteers work for more than one team, their individual training sometimes crosses over. “Last weekend we did a basic First Aid course,” explained Darren, “so we can respond if we are there before St John, which only has one ambulance. We all need to pull together.” To volunteer contact Darren Foxwell at 027 525 8780 or Philip Woolf at 027 4516 076 More photos on page 5.
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Tarakohe loan rejected JO RICHARDS
Tasman District Council ( TDC) has declined the Government’s offer of a $20m loan for the development of Port Tarakohe. The loan was to help fund the upgrade, detailed in TDC’s 2019 report Upgrade of Port Tarakohe Business Case, required to handle increased mussel production and improve recreational facilities. Mayor Tim King said the loan placed too much risk on TDC. “We appreciate the Crown’s offer, but ultimately a loan has to be repaid. It is disappointing we won’t be able to invest in this proposal for Port Tarakohe, but the upgrade isn’t financially viable under the current funding model.” The business case agreed a total project cost of $28.3m, of which $22.07m was be financed by a PGF grant. At the time, TDC stated that the grant funding was the only option to meet the upfront capital expenditure. This was because TDC’s financial strategy includes a net debt cap of $200 million. With the forecast for net debt currently sitting at $199.7 million, further cost blow-outs of the Waimea Dam project, which cannot be ruled out, would create a huge financial headache. It was this prospect that led to the decision. “While we are disappointed that the development is unable to progress in its current form, we acknowledge the TDC position with regard to taking on additional debt,” said Tim. Despite the upgrade being put on hold, Tim said the port remained an important strategic and community asset for Golden Bay and TDC would continue to work with stakeholders on the future operations of the port and options for staged redevelopment. General Manager Marine Farming Association Ned Wells echoed the mayor’s sentiments and reaffirmed the industry's interest in expanding aquaculture operations. “The mussel industry remains committed to growth in Golden Bay and has already invested millions in obtaining water space and developing farm infrastructure. Despite this hiccup, the industry will continue to bring job opportunities and GDP to Golden Bay.” But he stressed that an upgrade is desperately required, and stakeholders would be seeking alternative means of achieving their end goal. “Port Tarakohe is not currently fit for purpose and the mussel industry will be working with TDC to ensure that the facility is improved, either through a different funding mechanism or in a staged manner.”
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