Draft Water New Zealand submission on the draft Fire and Emergency NZ Bill

Please find attached a draft Water New Zealand submission on the draft Fire and Emergency NZ Bill. This Bill restructures the NZ Fire Service to reflect that 60% of call outs are non-fire related. It also provides for an updated levy system. Of relevance to our sector is that the Bill contains provisions for the development of a Code of Practice in relation to the use of water for fire-fighting. We have a raised a couple of issues in relation to consultation with affected parties, and over concerns to do with how priority is determined for use of water for drinking water of fire-fighting water in post emergency situations.

If members have comments on the draft, or have identified other issues you think we should comment on, please let John Pfahlert know by close of business this Friday 12 August.

A copy of the Bill is available for your reference on our website. NOTE that there is also a discussion paper out on proposed regulations which staff are currently considering. A copy of that document is also on our website.