Page 4124 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 22 October 2019
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MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I will take the detail of that question on notice. In relation to the operation of duress alarms, obviously, it would be impossible for me to answer a question at this moment as to whether all duress alarms in the hospital were functioning at this particular moment in time. I do know that occasionally there are issues, both in terms of human error issues and in terms of technical issues, with various pieces of equipment across the hospital, including duress alarms. Not all pieces of equipment are necessarily 100 per cent functional at all times, but I will take the gist of that question on notice, in terms of whether they are all accounted for.
Emergency services—infrastructure plan
MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Minister, how is the government delivering for the future needs of emergency services through the infrastructure plan?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Pettersson for the question and his support for ACT Policing. The government is proud to support the hardworking men and women of ACT Policing and the ACT Emergency Services Agency, who provide the frontline support to keep our community safe.
The recently released infrastructure plan outlines some of the many projects that we will support in the years to come. The new joint ambulance and fire stations, in the growth area of Molonglo and in the city, will help services in these areas when these stations are built and ease pressure on existing stations around the ACT. These two new stations will enable better service and response to the whole ACT community. Design, scoping and site selection work commenced this year on these two significant projects; they are expected to be operational within the next five years.
Infrastructure investment in police and emergency services is not only about new buildings and vehicles. It also supports maximising the potential of existing facilities and the utilisation of the latest technology. In the modern world, as cities like ours become more compact and efficient, investment in improved communication and IT platforms plays a vital role in allowing our first responders to spend more time in the community and less time behind a desk.
MR PETTERSSON: Minister, what does this mean for Gungahlin?
MR GENTLEMAN: It is a very important question. Police and emergency services in Gungahlin are an important part of our infrastructure plan and we have carefully considered the locations of new facilities in our forward planning. An upgraded ambulance and fire and rescue presence in Gungahlin, along with upgrades to the local police station, will help ensure the responsiveness and effectiveness of these services into the next decade.
Canberrans rightly express high satisfaction levels with ACT Policing and feel safe in our community. We expect the best from our police and emergency services staff and they continue to deliver. It is important that we plan for the future and ensure that upgrades to existing infrastructure match the ACT’s strong population growth as well.
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