Freeling CFS Station

Ms PRATT (Frome) (14:48): My question is to the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services. Can the minister update the house on the status of the Freeling CFS Station upgrade? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Ms PRATT: On 5 May last year the previous minister wrote to me saying, and I quote:

I have approved the acquisition of the land at 12 Clarke Street, Freeling for a new station.

Twelve months on, the volunteer brigade continues to train in a hay shed and without appropriate toilet facilities.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State) (14:48): I appreciate the question from the member for Frome. I know that she is raising a concern which of course is not only hers but exists in her community. We are committed to further investment at that particular site and examining those issues, but equally we are a government that is committed to examining the state of legacy assets right across the Country Fire Service.

You will know, member for Frome, that there are 425 South Australian Country Fire Service stations. Some of them have private spaces that can be accessed by members and others are adjacent to community facilities that can also be used. However, in many cases these are legacy assets; they are now operated by the CFS, but they were built by councils before being transferred to the state government through the 1990s. I understand in some cases there were conversations well before that time.

The pre-budget announcement that has been made by the Treasurer is to commit $800,000 to look at the state of the facilities right across South Australia. In terms of Freeling, I anticipate this will be a matter that the member will also want to raise with me in estimates, and I look forward to that conversation. I also acknowledge your genuine and heartfelt interest in the subject. We will, of course, respond with the same faithfulness and ensure that you have all the information that you need in the estimates process.