53Fire protected areas

### 53 Fire protected areas > > (1)  The Commission may, by notice published in the *Gazette*, declare a specified locality to be a fire protected area for the purposes of this Act. > > > (2)  *\[Section 53 Subsection (2) substituted by No. 18 of 1994, s. 5 \]**\[Section 53 Subsection (2) amended by No. 61 of 1996, s. 5 and s. 15 \]*The Commission, after consultation with the Hydro-Electric Corporation and by notice published in the *Gazette*, may declare an area of land vested in or occupied by the Hydro-Electric Corporation for hydro-electric works or purposes to be a fire protected area for the purposes of this Act. > > > (3)  *\[Section 53 Subsection (3) inserted by No. 18 of 1994, s. 5 \]**\[Section 53 Subsection (3) amended by No. 61 of 1996, s. 15 \]*An area of land declared under [subsection (2)](#GS53@Gs2@EN) to be a fire protected area continues to be a fire protected area so long as it remains vested in or occupied by the Hydro-Electric Corporation or is required for hydro-electric works or purposes. > > > (4)  *\[Section 53 Subsection (4) inserted by No. 18 of 1994, s. 5 \]*Any land that immediately before the commencement of the [Fire Service Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 1994](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1994-018) was deemed to be a fire protected area ceases to be a fire protected area on the commencement of that Act.