The Albanese Government has failed to deliver a promised $25 million Emergency Operations Centre in Gilmore following the Black Summer bushfire tragedy, according to Liberal candidate for Gilmore, Andrew Constance.
He has accused the Federal Member for Gilmore and the Prime Minister of comprehensively failing to deliver on their January 2022 commitment to build a critical Operations Centre and in not doing so, also putting lives and communities at risk in future natural disasters.
“It is deeply disappointing that several years on since Federal Labor’s announcement nothing has happened to build this critical facility for emergency services. It was first announced with fanfare in January 2022,” Andrew Constance said.
‘It is also disappointing that the Federal MP for Gilmore has apparently failed to pick up the phone to the agencies concerned and to drive this project to fruition. It is a shocking example of failing our community and leaves everyone exposed should another major disaster occur. She should have done her job properly.
“Time and time again, I am disappointed that nothing has changed since Black Summer.
“This Centre is critical because during Black Summer agencies such as the NSW Police and local Council were based in Moruya’s RSL Memorial Hall 700 metres down the road from Fire Command.
I saw how bad this situation was firsthand, with emergency services and key agencies separated and dealing with extraordinary coordination and communication challenges.
‘They weren’t in the same operations building and this must be fixed as a matter of urgency before the community is put at further risk.
The local Labor member must be held accountable for this failure of delivery.
Also still not even started is the new home for the Batemans Bay SES which was burnt down during the fire and the new RFS Shed at Surf Beach is also not delivered.
‘I am seeking the community’s support at the next election to put an end to this mismanagement and to deliver outcomes for our community,’ Andrew Constance said.
