Whitsunday’s new fire station: MP Amanda Camm lodges petition
The debate over the proposed location for Whitsundays’ newest fire station is heating up with one MP taking her concerns all the way to parliament. Read the latest.
Mackay
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It sparked furious debate in council chambers and now concerns over the proposed location of Whitsundays’ newest fire station are being moved up the ladder.
Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm tabled a petition to Queensland parliament on Wednesday “draw(ing) the attention of the House” to the 128 residents who were against the designation of 2-6 Banskia Court in Cannonvale as the new location.
The move comes after the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service chose the site sectioned between Macarthur Dr and Shute Harbour Rd to build its new $7 million station to replace the existing Jubilee Pocket station at 2495 Shute Harbour Rd in Mandalay.
“While it is terrific that (QFES) has recognised a need for adequate emergency services to support the growing Cannonvale community, the community has raised significant concerns in regard to the proposed site,” Ms Camm said.
Concerns included “heavy traffic” at the busy intersection, noise and light impacts on neighbouring residents, the “removal of quality land from the market during a housing crisis”, and the “lack of community consultation”.
“‘Consultation does not mean making a decision and then informing the public after the fact,” Ms Camm said.
“It’s not often that a community gets a new fire station, so we need to ensure this station is best positioned to not only support the community now but also as it grows in the future.”
The proposed new spot reportedly allows firefighters to reach emergencies in Airlie Beach and other Whitsunday areas within the required 15 to 17 minutes.
The QFES will host an Open Day from 10am to 2pm this Saturday at 2495 Shute Harbour Rd in Airlie Beach where residents can learn about the proposal.
There are also calls to build the new Cannonvale station while keeping the Jubilee Pocket site online as an auxiliary fire station.
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