Blackmount depot opened
Posted on 28 March 2011The new rural firefighters' depot at Blackmount was opened on Saturday 12 February. Southern Rural Fire Authority principal fire officer Mike Grant said the purpose built building, which has cost about $160,000, was opened by Southland District Council councillor George Harpur and Tuatapere Community Board chair Gray Robertson.
"This project would not have been possible without the significant sponsorship we have received from Meridian's Manapouri-Te Anau Community Fund, the Transpower Community Care Fund, the Community Trust of Southland, the National Rural Fire Authority, Dongwha Patinna and Pub Charities, and the number of small sponsors as well," Mr Grant said.
"It brings together both the rural firefighting team and the medical responders under one roof, and gives them a purpose built home. The team now has the ability to respond to emergencies in the district in a co-ordinated way."
Mr Grant also acknowledged the work of the volunteers, who basically managed any on-site work in the project, and the Robertson family who donated the land where the new depot sits.
The new depot has three bays and an upstairs training room.
The southern authority undertook a review four years ago to look at what was needed in different locations and what it had. The authority has 28 localities in the district, which runs from Beaumont across to Naseby and south, where it has firefighting equipment and/or tankers and trucks. The Blackmount depot is the third building to be either built or upgraded in the district.