Bligh Government moves to sell Kenmore Fire Station
Wednesday, 16 November 2011 09:39
The cash-strapped Bligh Government has announced that it intends to sell the now closed Kenmore Fire Station to raise funds.
I believe this is a short-sighted approach, particularly in a community such as ours that has drastically limited community facilities. Many local groups, whether they be service clubs, disability groups, returned service groups and the like have enormous difficulty finding any sort of community facility.
Whilst the government might like us to believe that it is standard practice to dispose of any building that ceases to be used, I have for years observed in other parts of Queensland that disused state-owned facilities are frequently put to community use.
I have written to the Emergency Services Minister, Neil Roberts, and requested a stay-of-execution on the sale of this very strategically placed property.
I think it could be put to considerable community benefit and given the near-complete absence of state-owned property that can be used for any sort of community purpose, I think it is extremely short sighted to dispose of this property in such as expeditious manner.
I will keep you informed of how the government responds to what I consider to be a sensible and reasonable request.