State Member for Scenic Rim, Jon Krause, said that he was disappointed but not surprised that the Labor State Government has failed to deliver on its promise of a new station for the Rathdowney Firies.
“The Minister needs to intervene and get this station underway – now.”
“We’ve had one of the worst bushfire seasons of late and still the Government can’t get its act together.”
“The delays for the new Rathdowney Fire Station are simply unacceptable – what does it say about the Government’s priorities that it can spend half a million dollars re-naming a hospital but not get this shed built?”
Mr Krause said that the Scenic Rim Electorate was assured by the former Minster for Fire and Emergency Services that work was expected to commence on the Rathdowney project in early 2017.
Following the 2018-19 Budget in June 2018, the current Minister assured the Scenic Rim community that construction of the facility was expected to begin before the end of 2018 through comments he made in the Beaudesert Times on 24 July last year.
“This has not happened. No earth has been moved and no update has been given to residents about the progress of the new Rathdowney Fire Station.”
Mr Krause requested another meeting with the Minster for Fire and Emergency Services to seek information about the project and was told the tender process was held up in late 2018 – when work should have been underway.
“The tender process has been re-opened with the new tender to be awarded by the end of March – only furthering delays for the building,” Mr Krause said.
“Once again Labor has let down the Scenic Rim with empty promises and a lack of commitment for residents. This is simply not good enough and I will continue to fight to ensure that the Rathdowney and broader community receives its fair share,” Mr Krause said.