Rural fire permit changes for Queenstown Lakes District

Anyone applying for a rural fire permit will now need to make application to the Queenstown Lakes District Council, QLDC principal rural fire officer Gordon Bailey said.

“In the past we have used a contractor as an agent for rural fire permits, however as of now anyone wanting a rural fire permit will need to contact the council,” Mr Bailey said.

Requests for a rural fire permit could be mailed, faxed or emailed to the council. Applicants could also find the application form on-line on the council’s website www.qldc.govt.nz

“I would advise applicants to allow for at least a week,” Mr Bailey said.

There was a restricted fire season all year round in the Lakes District.

“What that means is that you need a permit for any fire,” Mr Bailey said

Permits could be obtained as follows:

* Urban Areas (Queenstown, Frankton, Kelvin Heights, Arthur’s Point, Arrowtown, Wanaka, Hawea, Albert Town, Luggate) – Lakes Environmental
* Within a kilometre of Department of Conservation land – Department of Conservation.
* All other QLDC rural areas and townships – QLDC

“The exception always being Pig and Pigeon Islands in Lake Wakatipu and Ruby Island in Lake Wanaka, where a total fire ban applies year round,” Mr Bailey said.