FENZ seeks certainty with long-term leases
The council is asking for community feedback on a proposal to provide the fire service with long-term leases over land they currently occupy in Pukenui, Karikari, Taupō Bay and Broadwood.
Community consultation is underway on a proposal to provide Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) security of tenure over four council-administered sites that will enable FENZ to better plan and invest in services.
The council is asking the community to provide feedback on the proposal to grant FENZ long-term leases over land they currently occupy at Pukenui, Karikari, Taupō Bay and Broadwood and for the council to transfer the ownership of assets at these sites. These include buildings, carparking and other facilities.
The four sites are:
- 3985 State Highway 1, Northern Aupōuri, Pukenui
- 699 Rangiputa Road, Karikari
- 721 Taupō Bay Road, Taupō Bay
- 1089 Broadwood Road, Broadwood.
The proposed lease term for each site is 30-years (15-year plus 15-year). Assets at each location will be transferred to FENZ. The proposal will also require a change of classification over the portion of reserved land currently occupied by FENZ at Rangiputa Road. This will change a part of site from Recreation Reserve to Local Purpose Reserve (community buildings).
Changing the classification of part of the Rangiputa Road site to Local Purpose Reserve will allow FENZ to construct buildings, carparks and other facilities, as required and which is allowed for under the Reserves Act. The remainder of the Karikari site will continue to be held for recreation purposes.
By providing long-term leases, transferring assets and changing classification over a portion of the Rangiputa Road site, FENZ will gain greater certainty that future investments in its facilities will benefit each community long-term.
Community consultation started on Monday 30 January and runs for four weeks. The consultation aims to raise community awareness about the long-term intentions of FENZ and to establish whether the lands in question have cultural or other special significance to the community.
Once the consultation period ends on Monday 27 February, submissions will be heard by each community board – Te Hiku, Kaikohe-Hokianga and Bay of Islands-Whangaroa – which will then make recommendations to the council.
Submissions can be made at the ‘Have Your Say’ page on the council website or via this link.