Land concession to ensure public safety

22 April 2008

Conservation land concession to ensure public safety

An application by a Solid Energy security contractor, Provision, for a permit to undertake security services on public conservation land adjacent to Solid Energy’s sites in the Buller is to ensure public safety.

The contractor has applied to the Department of Conservation (DoC) for the permit as the most effective way of ensuring all parties’ rights and responsibilities are clear.

In its application, Provision says its staff parties, of at least two people, would advise anyone they met of site boundaries and closures in the area. If people breached any legal closures or trespassed onto Solid Energy sites, Provision staff would gather evidence. No application is being sought for a power to evict. If a closure was being breached or people trespassed onto Solid Energy sites, the Provision staff would inform those who do have authority to enforce a closure - DoC or the Police.

Provision, in its application, has said its staff may use handheld video cameras to record interactions with the people they meet. The intention is to provide a record of the event.

Barry Bragg, Solid Energy Chief Operating Officer, says, “This reinforces our message that we are acting properly and appropriately and we treat the security of the public, our staff, our contractors and our business extremely seriously. Health and safety is our top priority.”

ENDS

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