Rural fire station sets new standards | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

Cutting through miles of red tape, a project delayed for nearly two years finally came to fruition this week with the opening of the new $140,000 Herbertville Rural Fire Force Station.

Tararua District resilience manager Paddy Driver said the project had been difficult.

"There were huge problems surrounding the building process. We had to change the boundary for access and, in doing so, had to get permission from the Ministry of Conservation. This meant we then had to discuss it with iwi, who were a wonderful help with the issues, and redo the plans. It took about 1 years to sort out the bureaucracy but only three weeks to construct the building itself."

Mr Driver said many people needed to be recognised including Alan Johanson who passed away last week. A minute's silence was observed for Mr Johanson.

"Alan did a lot for the service and was instrumental in helping to provide equipment such as defibrilators to the rural fire forces and he will be sadly missed," he said.

One of the people who has been a driving force on the project was Herbertville fire chief Trevor Beale, who has spent more time on the project than he has at home.

"Trevor has been passionate about the building right from the start and has been working long and hard to make sure the building came to fruition," Mr Driver said.

Mayor Roly Ellis said the new station was a credit to the volunteers of the Herbertville Rural Fire Force and all those who had helped make it a reality.

"This is a brilliant facility. The standards of rural fire buildings is well below that of urban stations and this will set the standard for other rural stations. It will also be a brilliant training facility and means the volunteers will no longer be out in the cold," he said.

Mr Ellis said Herbertville force would now be better prepared to respond to call-outs and would be a lot quicker.

At the official opening, Dannevirke kaumatua Nanny Noa Nicholson blessed the building with a prayer and a karakia before leading the crowd through the building. A sign made from milled macrocarpa was handpainted by local artist Kirsten Edwards who said it took 45 hours to complete.

The building was funded by the National Fire Authority which donated $30,000 and the Tararua District Council which contributed $100,000 as well as donations.