Liberal Social gathering chief and Vasse MLA Libby Mettam says she will not relent in her efforts to overturn a call to shut the group fireplace shed at Gnarabup.
Whereas correspondence again to her complaints to Emergency Providers Minister Stephen Dawson confirmed little motion, the newly minted Liberal chief has flagged a grievance movement in Parliament later this month.
Ms Mettam informed the Instances the current determination by the Division of Fireplace and Emergency Providers to shut Wallcliffe Volunteer Bushfire Brigade’s second unit as a part of its switch to State Authorities management ignored the wants in addition to the considerations of the coastal group affected by bushfire on a number of events.
She had additionally obtained sturdy suggestions from residents alarmed on the determination they felt imperiled their group.
Because the Instances reported final month, protest group Protect Gnarabup first raised the alarm in regards to the DFES determination, citing an inconsistency between closing the Gnarabup shed whereas additionally opposing the proposed Westin Margaret River Resort & Spa due to unacceptable bushfire threat.
Ms Mettam has urged Mr Dawson to countermand the DFES determination and likewise invoked that discrepancy.
“There may be concern that this might doubtlessly be a life-threatening determination, considerably lowering response occasions in what’s a excessive fire-risk space,” she mentioned.
“Native residents are deeply involved, significantly having lived by means of the devastating Margaret River bushfire in 2011 that destroyed properties.
“They’ve suggested that the unit has since supplied additional safety, enabling a speedy response and avoiding a extra severe fireplace incident.”
Residents canvassed by the Instances this week, together with the Margaret River Coastal Residents Affiliation, expressed disbelief and dismay the minister continued to defer the decision to DFES which he oversees.
Nonetheless, Mr Dawson’s response to Ms Mettam’s plea reiterated sticking by the DFES determination.
He mentioned the DFES name was based mostly on the Gnarabup shed not being “match for function”.
Much like DFES responses to Instances inquiries, Mr Dawson cited the tremendously elevated response functionality of firefighting personnel for the reason that 2011 bushfires, which included aerial help.
“I notice your reference to the proposed improvement for the Westin Margaret River Resort & Spa and Gnarabup Seashore Village, and the group security considerations raised by DFES,” he mentioned within the letter.
“It’s acknowledged that the 2 issues are geographically shut. Nonetheless, the proposed improvement and the choice to relocate the sunshine tanker are impartial of one another.
“Moreover, the allocation and placement of operational belongings is the only real duty of the DFES Commissioner.”
Mr Dawson mentioned the relocation of the sunshine tanker made no operational distinction to the State Authorities’s bushfire response.
