Information requested:

We request the following information:
Fire Risk Assessment – Management Planning before the Toitu Te Whenua Parks Network Plan 
(2020–2030) 
• Was a comprehensive, site-specific fire risk assessment completed before adoption of the 
Belmont Regional Park Toitu Te Whenua Parks Network Plan (2020–2030)?
• If yes, please provide a copy.
• If not, please explain why not.
Fire Risk Assessment – Grazing Retirement & Contractor Engagement
• Was a fire risk assessment completed before decisions to retire grazing across areas of 
Belmont Regional Park?
• Was a fire risk assessment completed before engaging contractors, including Sierra Delta Civil 
Limited, for works associated with grazing retirement, vegetation change, and firebreak 
construction?
• Please provide all relevant reports, notes, assessments, and advice.
Afforestation / Planting Programme
• Was a fire risk assessment completed before the decision (following the 19 June 2026 council 
meeting) to:
1. Plant approximately 20% of a 1,000-hectare area within Belmont Regional Park, and
2. Allow approximately 800 hectares to revert to unmanaged vegetation (including weeds, 
gorse, and rank grass) over the next 10 years?
1. If yes, please provide the fire risk assessment and any supporting documentation.
2. If not, please explain why.
• Please provide all modelling, analysis, or technical advice relating to:
1. Vegetation fuel load
2. Fire behaviour and spread
3. Overall fire risk associated with the proposed planting and vegetation reversion
Firebreaks (Including Green and Mineral Firebreaks) 
• What assessment has been undertaken on the effectiveness of proposed firebreaks, 
particularly green and mineral firebreaks within the park?
• What analysis has been done to determine whether firebreaks will be effective under extreme 
fire conditions (e.g. wind-driven fire, ember attack), including the likelihood of fire jumping 
firebreaks?
• What assessment has been undertaken on the environmental effects of mineral firebreaks, 
including erosion and sedimentation?
• What consideration has been given to the impact of firebreak construction on the natural 
character, landscape values, and recreational experience of the park?
• Please provide all associated reports, notes, design documents, and advice.
Vegetation Reversion (Gorse) and Implications for Fire Risk
• What assessment has been undertaken regarding the potential for large-scale reversion to 
gorse across the park (including up to 800 hectares), and the associated increase in fire risk 
following the removal of grazing under the 10-year plan?
• What fire risk analysis has been carried out to assess the potential impact of this vegetation 
change—particularly large-scale gorse establishment—on surrounding communities, 
including Waitangirua, Whitby, Porirua, Kelson, Belmont, and Normandale?
• What consideration has been given to prevailing strong northerly and southerly wind 
conditions in this modelling, and how these conditions may influence fire spread, intensity, 
and the ability to contain a fire?
• What mitigation measures are proposed to prevent or contain a fire under these conditions, 
particularly where large areas (up to 800 hectares) may be covered in high-risk fuel loads 
such as gorse?
• What safety measures are in place to protect park users in the event of a fire, particularly if 
increased fuel loads (including gorse) elevate fire risk within the park?
• If no such assessments, modelling, or mitigation measures have been undertaken, please 
confirm this and explain why.
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Ground Disturbance Risk
• What information does GWRC hold regarding the location (known or suspected) of unexploded 
ordnance (UXO) within the park?
• What assessments have been undertaken regarding the risk of ignition or detonation of buried 
munitions because of:
1. Fire Events.
2. Earthworks, including firebreak construction.
• What mitigation measures are in place to manage UXO risk during planting (digging), vegetation 
clearance, earthworks, or fire response activities?
• How has UXO risk been incorporated into any fire risk assessment or fire management 
planning?
• What assessment has been made of the likelihood of buried munitions in surrounding areas?
Critical Infrastructure Risk (Transpower & First Gas)
• Have Transpower New Zealand and First Gas been formally consulted on GWRC’s intention to 
retire all grazing and allow approximately 800ha within Belmont Regional Park to revert to 
unmanaged vegetation (e.g. weeds, gorse, and rank grass) over the next 10 years?
1. If yes, please provide all correspondence, advice, and any risk assessments received from
these parties.
2. If not, please explain why these infrastructure operators were not consulted.
• Please provide all fire risk assessments, technical advice, and related correspondence 
concerning potential impacts on infrastructure operated by:
1. Transpower New Zealand
2. First Gas
• Please confirm whether Transpower New Zealand and First Gas have been provided with, or 
have requested, a comprehensive, site-specific fire risk assessment for Belmont Regional Park.
• Please advise whether Transpower New Zealand and First Gas have been informed of known or 
suspected unmarked buried munitions within the park.
1. If yes, please provide all relevant correspondence and advice.
2. If no, please explain why.
• Please provide details of any assessments undertaken regarding:
1. The presence of transmission lines and gas pipelines within areas proposed for grazing 
retirement.
2. The potential for increased fuel loads and fire intensity in proximity to these assets.
3. Risks to public safety and continuity of essential services.
• Please confirm whether areas proposed for grazing retirement (including from Transmission 
Gully to the top of the park) overlap with:
1. critical infrastructure corridors (including transmission lines and gas pipelines), and
2. known or suspected locations of buried munitions.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ)
• Is Fire and Emergency New Zealand aware of the presence or potential presence of 
unexploded ordnance (UXO), including unmapped or unmarked munitions, within Belmont 
Regional Park?
If yes:
• What information has been provided regarding the location and risks of these munitions?
• What assessment has been made regarding the risk of ignition or detonation during fire 
events, earthworks (e.g. firebreak construction) and digging to plant trees?
If no:
• Please confirm that Fire and Emergency New Zealand have not been informed of these risks?
Current Fire Risk Status and Interim Measures
• What is the current assessed fire risk level for the park?
• What interim measures are in place while any fire risk assessment remains incomplete?
Internal Advice and Briefings
• Please provide all internal reports, emails, memos, notes and briefings to councillors and
staff relating to:
1. Fire risk.
2. Grazing retirement.
3. Firebreak construction.
4. Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) risk.
5. Infrastructure risk.
6. Public safety in the park in the event of a fire.
If any part of this request is refused, please provide the reason under the Official Information Act
1982.
Given the significant implications for public safety, critical infrastructure, and environmental 
management, we request that this matter be treated with urgency.