State Government commits $100,000 for Edmonton SES upgrade

[singlepic id=214 w=320 h=240 float=left]Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt has welcomed a $100,000 State Government grant for the repair and refurbishment of the Edmonton State Emergency Service (SES) facility.

In April this year, Mr Pitt gave an undertaking to work with the Edmonton group of the SES to address asbestos concerns at its headquarters.

“Queensland SES volunteers are widely regarded as some of the hardest working and most dedicated in the country and the Edmonton unit is no exception,” Mr Pitt said.

“Far North Queensland communities are renowned for receiving their fair share of natural disasters and SES volunteers are on the frontline, whether through storm and flood responses, search and rescue operations, road traffic crashes, community education or assisting other emergency service agencies.”

“This project ensures our emergency services in the region have a suitable facility to operate from and will allow the continued delivery of high-quality service to our community.”

“It’s also another example of the Bligh Government’s commitment to ensuring safe and secure communities for all Queenslanders.”

Works will include the removal of asbestos flooring as well as extensive drainage works and the upgrade of a kitchen area and ablution facilities.

Speaking today in Parliament on the Disaster Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Mr Pitt said the project was a partnership between State and Local Government.

“Cairns Regional Council contributed $105,000 towards this project and continues to provide ongoing support towards SES operations within the area,” Mr Pitt said.

“It’s important we continue to work together to make sure our local community is best protected in the event of extreme weather conditions.”

“State and local governments collaborate closely to ensure that each SES unit is appropriately supported in order to perform its functions.

“It is cooperation like this between levels of government that is fundamental to the ongoing viability of the SES.”

The Bill before the House contains an amendment to Disaster Management Act 2003 allowing the chief executive of the Department of Community Safety to enter into agreements with each local government with respect to the SES unit in the relevant local government area.

“These agreements will spell out each party’s responsibilities in terms of supporting the SES unit,” Mr Pitt said.

“Whilst the content of the SES support agreement will be negotiated between Emergency Management Queensland and the local government, it may deal with issues such as equipment, facilities, training, exercises and workplace health and safety.”