October 1 2018 Country location a must for Rural Fire Division and Bushfire Centre of Excellence The recent release by the State Government of a so-called tender document in relation to the proposed location of the Bushfire Centre of Excellence and therefore also the Rural Fire Division is really just an expression of interest according to the Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Dr Steve Thomas. However, Dr Thomas has called on Local Governments in the South West and Great Southern to take up the option of expressing interest in the project and making a submission. “It is critical that Local Governments in the region take part in the process because if the State Government is left to its own devices we may well see the Bushfire Centre of Excellence put into the metropolitan region” Dr Thomas said. “The Labor Party signalled early its’ original intention to site the project in Darlington in the Shire of Mundaring in Perth, which would have been a massive snub to rural communities.” Dr Thomas said that questions he had asked of the Minister in Parliament in June had revealed that the Government was still considering Darlington as an option for a co-located Rural Fire Division and Bushfire Centre of Excellence. “The Minister has said both the Rural Fire Division and the Bushfire Centre of Excellence will be constructed on the same site, which makes sense to me,” Dr Thomas said. “However, I believe that the Rural Fire Division and the Bushfire Centre of Excellence should be located in the country, not in the metropolitan region. To be taken seriously it should be no further north than Pinjarra and must be in the South West or Great Southern.” “The Bushfire Centre of Excellence is set to be the state’s primary area for training bushfire volunteers and professionals, and the Rural Fire Division will ultimately be central to bushfire management. Despite comments by Minister Fran Logan the Rural Fire Division will in my view have to have an operational function. Given this rural focus it has to be situated in a regional area.” Ends. Contact: Dr Steve Thomas 0427 908 717 |
Question Without Notice No. 499 asked in the Legislative Council on 26 June 2018 by Hon Dr Steve Thomas Minister responding: Hon F.M. Logan Parliament: 40 Session: 1
BUSHFIRE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE — LOCATION
499. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the minister’s announcement on 13 April of a rural fire division within the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the development of a Bushfire Centre of Excellence, both of which are to be co-located according to comments the minister made on ABC radio at the time of the announcement, and the minister’s much-welcomed backflip on locating them specifically in Darlington.
(1) Which criteria will be used to assess possible or nominated locations?
(2) Which geographical area is being considered as possible locations?
(3) Must any essential services or infrastructure be present for a location to be considered?
(4) Is Darlington still being considered as a potential location?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied: The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises the following.
(1)–(3) The Bushfire Centre of Excellence will come into operation from 1 July 2018. The operational planning and design of the centre of excellence will occur during 2018–19. One of the first priorities of this planning and design process will be to establish the criteria to assess potential locations for the centre of excellence. The location of the rural fire division will be considered in parallel with the planning and design of the centre of excellence over the coming financial year. (4) Yes. A range of options for the location of the Bushfire Centre of Excellence will be considered in developing the final business case for approval by government. The minister’s public commentary has consistently reflected his desire to ensure that the centre is accessible to all Western Australian volunteers and emergency services personnel from across the state.