The idea for the fitting was initiated by farmer and Otago Regional Councillor Gary Kelliher. He said the area north of Chatto Creek-Springvale Rd towards Moutere Station used to be part of two dryland farms, but a large amount of the land had been subdivided into lifestyle blocks of about 8ha.
About four months ago Mr Kelliher noticed a fire break out at the top of Watson Rd near Nelson Ridge Rd.
The fire began as a controlled burn by a landowner but soon strong winds caused the fire to get "totally out of control".
Mr Kelliher called the fire brigade and "luckily they were able to put it out" but while he was at the site he saw how isolated the area was.
Looking out from the top of Watson Rd he noticed "how much dry land there is around here".
Next to the area of lifestyle blocks there was Moutere Station , made up of "thousands of acres" of dry tussock country.
The fear was if there was a fire in the area, where would it go, and what water was available that firefighters could access to refill a tanker, he said.
After looking at the options in the surrounding areas alongside members of the Clyde Volunteer Fire Brigade, they identified the the Dairy Creek irrigation scheme pipe near Golden Rd as an ideal place for appliances to refill, especially at night when it was harder to find other sources of water nearby.
Mr Kelliher approached Pioneer Energy as the primary funder of the Dairy Creek irrigation scheme.
Chief executive Fraser Jonker said it was a ‘‘no brainer’’ to provide the fitting that allowed refilling for fire appliances.
It was "in everyone’s interest" to make it easier for firefighters, he said.
Mr Jonker said they would be "willing to consider it favourably" if there was a similar need in other areas where they had assets that could be of help for firefighters and the community.
Deputy controller of Dunstan Rural Fire Force Mark Reid said the farmer-led initiative was "really, really good".
Knowing in advance where water could be obtained and having access to get a large truck able to quickly refill with water could "save lives", he said.
Mr Kelliher said he was hoping similar schemes could be initiated in other parts of the rural area.
simon.henderson@
alliedpress.co.nz
