The Appleby Fire Station has been in its current location for 30 years, but the groundwork is underway for a new location for the station.
“We needed a new building that was fit for purpose,” says Appleby Fire Station deputy controller Bella Clark-Melchers.
The new building will be on the corner of the Moutere Highway and Redwood Valley Road.
Providing easier access, more room for vehicles, and being in closer proximity to emergency civil defence equipment are all benefits of the new location due to be completed in July this year.
“The new building will also provide a great central community facility,” says Bella.
“We’re so thankful to the O’Connor family who have generously and graciously allowed us to use the current site and serve the community, rent-free for the past 30 years,” says principal rural fire officer Ian Reade.
It’s further community spirit like that shown by the O’Connor family that has had some bearing on the new site.
Ted Ford has been part of the Appleby Fire Station’s crew for over 30 years and the new site will be occupying some of his family’s land. The Ford family donated the land for the use of the fire station.
The rest of the land for the site was purchased from the Tasman District Council (TDC) by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Plans for a new site were underway in 2015 under the Rural Fire Authority, which was made up of the TDC, Nelson City Council, 141 Plantation, Tasman Pine Forests and the Department of Conservation.
When the Rural Fire Authority became FENZ in 2017, the project was picked up and is being funded by them.
Things commenced on the 11th of January with a dawn ceremony and the laying of the Mauri stone. This custom represents the life force or the essence of the building and the important work that will be done there. Appleby Fire Station crew and the Ford family also laid stones.