Councillor Glenn Wilson. Credit: Kalgoorlie Miner, Tori O’Connor
City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Cr Glenn Wilson believes the City’s top brass need to lean on local MPs to lobby State Government for more firefighting resources in the region.
Cr Wilson’s motion during urgent business at Monday’s ordinary meeting won favour with his colleagues, who unanimously supported the call.
That came after resources were stretched on Saturday when firefighters tackled a suspicious blaze that ripped through bushland and threatened homes in West Kalgoorlie at the same time a West Lamington home went up in smoke.
Cr Wilson said with the fire season in full flow and the council next scheduled to meet at the end of January, he felt it was an issue that needed to be addressed with urgency.
“We have seen at the weekend we had a bushfire that came close to homes here in the city,” he said.
“We had our fire and emergency services responding to not only a major bushfire in town that took up a lot of resources, but at the same time they also responded to a house fire in Lamington which also took up resources.
“I would like to see the council approach DFES and ask through the local Members of Parliament for further services for our career firefighters, for our volunteer firefighters and for the City for protection in the event that something happens.” Rising to speak in support of the motion, Cr Mandy Reidy said living opposite the North Kalgoorlie Volunteer Fire Brigade she was acutely aware of how busy the city’s firefighters had been and deserved all the support they could get.
“They are quick to respond and I think we as a City should at least put up our hands and say we need some more resources in that space,” she said.
“They could really do with a hand, I think, at times.”
Deputy Mayor Lisa Malicky and Cr Dave Grills also spoke in support of the motion.
Jason Mennell | Kalgoorlie Miner
https://thewest.com.au/news/kalgoorlie-miner/kalgoorlie-boulder-council-call-to-boost-fire-resources-ng-b881406767z
