Bylaw restricting rubbish fires out for public consultation

RUBBISH fires could become rare under new fire rules being proposed for Wellington.

A proposed bylaw determining when people need a fire permit clamps down on rubbish fires, limiting the opportunities when people can get permission.

The bylaw was approved for public consultation by a city council committee yesterday.

The planned rules would make it easier for people to have backyard braziers and pizza ovens.

The existing bylaw allows the burning of rubbish with a permit, but does not give the fire service permission to extinguish nonpermitted fires.

Concerns about smoke, ash and flames from neighbours burning rubbish outdoors accounted for more than half of fire service callouts, councillors were told.

Under the updated bylaw, people would get a permit for a rubbish fire only if there were no suitable alternatives. The fire service would be given the power to extinguish fires if necessary.

The bylaw would also clarify the rules for when permits were required, and allow people to have ‘‘outdoor fire devices’’ – such as pizza ovens, braziers and built barbecues – without a permit. Hangi will still require a permit.

Committee chairman Paul Eagles said the proposed changes could make it easier to understand when a permit was required.

The fire service had asked for a complete ban on rubbish fires, but this proposal was a compromise, he said. If there was a desire for a complete ban on rubbish fires, that would be reflected in the consultation.