City takes SES grant fight to minister
Representatives of the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder have taken their fight to avoid costs associated with a new SES facility to Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis, outlining their concerns at a meeting in Perth yesterday afternoon.
The _Kalgoorlie Miner _understands the main point of contention raised by the City related to the "inadequate process" of Local Government Grants Scheme arrangements, after City chief executive Don Burnett put on the public record his opinion about State Government cost-shifting.
While Mr Francis declined to elaborate on the results of yesterday's meeting, he said the conversation with the City would be ongoing.
"The State Government applies the same standards to all local government grants," he said.
Mayor Ron Yuryevich said he would not publicly discuss the meeting until he had the chance to report back to council.
The City arranged the meeting in an attempt to dodge start-up costs for the project - which the Department of Fire and Emergency Services estimates to be $321,011, but the City says will be $460,000.
It follows correspondence from Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson last month, who outlined his opinion that the LGGS was not intended to relinquish or revoke local governments from their commitment to the shared responsibility for emergency services activities.
Responding to questions from the _ Miner _last week, Mr Francis confirmed he was scheduled to meet representatives from the City, but would not be drawn on whether he would consider changing the scope of the Emergency Services Levy.
Chief executive Don Burnett told the _ Miner _in an interview last month the City had vowed to fight the political battle with the minister. He also conceded it was time to proceed with the project.
The Hamilton Street project has been in limbo since the council revoked the $1.4 million tender for construction of the building in January.
The message from those who supported the rescission motion was clear - they felt the DFES had not been forthcoming with information about their official responsibilities or deals made with other local governments outlining Local Government Grants Scheme arrangements.
