New Zealand / Police

Police have no plans to move Franz Josef station, despite mayor's plea

19:27 pm on 23 January 2022

New Zealand police say there are no plans to move the Franz Josef station, despite prompting by the Westland mayor.

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Bruce Smith has been encouraging some private businesses and public services including the police, to relocate in Franz Josef, so they are not directly on the Alpine Fault line.

Victoria University scientists predict a 75 percent chance of a major fault quake in the next 50 years, and an 82 percent chance it will be greater than magnitude 8.

Smith said he cannot force organisations to move to safer ground.

"District council or regional council, we don't have the authority, or the powers to say 'right, you're going to shift', because what happens is they will say 'what a great idea - now, who's going to pay for it?'."

Smith hopes updated district plans will help.