THE delay in the construction of a new Country Fire Service (CFS) shed to house a new truck is “typical Labor bureaucracy”, Australian Conservatives candidate for MacKillop Richard Bateman says.
According to sources, the Mount Burr CFS will take ownership of a new fire truck in the next financial year but will be forced to house it out of the township due to excessive red tape.
Mount Burr’s existing fire station is unsuitable to house the new truck, with a proposed site being identified as land leased as part of the sale of the state-owned forest.
The construction of a new shed has been held up as a result of the OneFortyOne Plantations lease, as well as three separate ministerial approvals needed to approve the construction.
As a result, the new truck is understood to be housed at the OFO depot near Mount Muirhead.
Mr Bateman said it was “shocking” the Mount Burr brigade had not received top priority for the construction of a new facility.
“The hold-up of this new fire shed is typical Labor bureaucracy which continually hinders and frustrates communities and our volunteer services,” he said.
“It is situations like this why the Australian Conservatives has vowed to slash this unnecessary red tape to allow decisions to be made resulting in more productivity within our communities.”
SA-Best candidate for MacKillop Tracy Hill said the party would support the “fast tracking” of a new shed at Mount Burr if elected to parliament.
“If a new shed is required, it should be a priority in view of a new appliance being delivered soon,” she said.
“Of course it has to be costed and cooperation between government departments should be expedited.”
Independent candidate for MacKillop Jon Ey said it was “totally unacceptable” bureaucracy had stalled the construction of the shed.
“Like many residents of the Limestone Coast I have seen the devastation that bush fires leave behind,” he said.
“I will cut through this red tape and ensure the new shed is built immediately.”
