Overgrown sections potential fire risks

RESIDENTIAL property owners are being advised by the Manawatu District Council to take action regarding overgrown sections that have the potential to be fire risks.

Environmental Health Officer, Philip Hunter, said each summer the council, as an obligation under the Local Government Act, carried out checks on sections that had been “let go” and could pose a threat to adjacent properties.

“Property owners have a responsibility to keep their sections relatively well kept so the grass doesn’t grow to the stage where, if it combusted, it is going to affect other people’s property and possibly threaten lives.”

Mr Hunter said sections were beginning to dry out as the summer weather kicked in and he was particularly concerned about some overgrown sites in Feilding and surrounding townships.

He said those notified had a month to clear their sections before the council carried out the task itself and recovered costs from the property owner.

“Most people are pretty responsible, with most of the properties that are overgrown involving an absentee owner who is not keeping a day-to-day eye on the section. Once they have been alerted to the issues, they usually clear it up.”

Mr Hunter said the council would act immediately, however, if an overgrown property was deemed to be a significant threat and posed an imminent danger.

“The growth is green enough at the moment, but we will be keeping a close eye on the situation as the weather dries properties out.”

Mr Hunter also asked residents in Feilding and the district townships to notify council if they had concerns about a nearby property that was not being maintained so an inspection could be carried out.