27 May 2008 - 2.43 pm

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 by clicking here.

"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.

ENDS

For further information please contact Gordon Bailey or deputy rural fire officer Brendan Winder 03 441 0499.

By: Tamah