http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/dispute-leaves-communities-without-fire-stations/story-e6frea83-1225961133374THREE South Australian communities will be at higher risk of bushfire danger because a dispute between the Government and a contractor has stalled the building of new fire stations.
State Country Fire Service stations in Wilmington, Balaklava and Hamley Bridge were all demolished earlier this year on the promise they would be rebuilt before this year's fire season.
But a dispute between the South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission and contractor Unique Building has stopped work on the stations for the past six weeks.
Wilmington is near Mt Remarkable, which is a high-risk fire area, and Balaklava and Hamley Bridge are both in the Mid North.
Wilmington CFS captain Geoff Hitch said the dispute meant the high-risk fire area would be without a fire station for what was expected to be the worst fire season in 20 years. The brigade had been forced to store trucks and equipment in private residences of members.
"I don't care what the fight is about, I just want them to finish the station - they can't just leave it half finished," he said.
"It is definitely going to slow our response time down because we have got gear all over the place."
Mr Hitch said he was concerned that a serious fire in the high-risk area could have fatal consequences if there was no centralised station.
"If our response is slow it gives a fire more chance to get ahead of us, so who knows what that could do," he said.
Opposition finance spokesman Rob Lucas said the dispute could place country communities at risk if there was a major summer fire.
He said correspondence between SAFECOM and the builder showed the dispute was regarding non-performance under the terms of the contract. The organisation was seeking repayment of $740,000 of a $1.5 million payment made in June.
"The letter claims that Unique has failed to comply with the above contract requirement to date and immediate action is required by Unique for more than 50 separate items," Mr Lucas said. "The minister and SAFECOM must now take urgent action to ensure the CFS stations are built as soon as possible."
Emergency Services Minister Michael Wright said the Government would direct SAFECOM to seek an alternative builder.
"The conduct of this company has been completely unacceptable," he said.
"A number of meetings have been held with the company concerned, and we'll be requesting an explanation as to why their contract should not be cancelled."
