Firies Left In Limbo

The state government has been accused of putting the cart before the horse when it comes to addressing the contamination of Ayr’s water supply.
After it was revealed historic use of firefighting foam at the Ayr fire station had caused carcinogenic compounds to leach into the town’s drinking water, the state government committed $4million towards remediation works at the station.
However, Member for Burdekin Dale Last said with no funding commitment to provide Ayr’s firies with a new alternative home, it seemed absurd for remediation works to commence.
“It leaves you to question how our local firefighters are supposed to adequately respond to emergencies when there are bulldozers and excavators in operation removing and replacing contaminated areas of soil,” Mr Last said.
“This is another example of poor planning by this state government who seem quite happy for our firies to be left trying to operate a fire station while these remediation works take place.”
Mr Last said since the detection of PFAS chemicals in the Ayr water supply more than five years ago, the state government’s disdain for working with the community to ensure the town’s drinking water was safe and its firefighters could use their station to full capacity was clear.
“For years the local council have been left unable to adequately plan for a future water supply for Ayr and the town’s firefighters have been unable to undertake essential activities like training due to the inaction by the current Minister and her predecessor to be open with this community.”
“If she was serious about this issue, there would have been a commitment in the budget for a new fire station for our firefighters.”
“Now that she’s been dragged in to fixing this mess, it seems this Minister is determined to offer a partial solution which ultimately leaves the community in limbo.”

Opinion Piece contributed by Member for Burdekin Dale Last.

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