The first signs of a state government election emerged yesterday with LNP candidate for Springwood Kirrily Boulton announcing a promise of funding for local firefighters.
With bookmakers predicting a tight election, and Springwood a marginal seat, voters can expect a number of announcements from both major parties in coming weeks.
Ms Boulton said the LNP had committed $500,000 for a shed, fire truck, equipment and training for Mt Cotton Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade which would also service Daisy Hill and Shailer Park.
“With more than 1000 hectares of fuel load in Mt Cotton and the surrounding suburbs, it is essential that our Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade has the equipment and the support to protect homes and businesses from fire,” Ms Boulton said.
“The LNP has been fighting for years to establish a Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade to protect Mt Cotton from bushfire.
“Labor’s response was to make this the only Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade in Queensland that is not allowed to fight fires.
“In a nation that was devastated by bushfire last summer, this is a sick joke and shows Labor is taking the Redlands for granted.
“I will ensure the communities of Mt Cotton, Shailer Park and Daisy Hill have a trained and ready Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade, who can do exactly what they signed up for, and that is protect our communities from bushfire.”
Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Lachlan Millar said the state government had cut the rural fire brigade budget by $6.4m over the past two years.
“On top of that, Labor met only 54% of their own hazard reduction burning targets in 2016-19,” he said.
“Labor has built 40% fewer new fire breaks and cut bushfire education by 45%.”
