Zoe Moffatt
Riddells Creek Country Fire Authority (CFA) will not be relocating to the Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve following community concern about the proposed location.
In a council meeting on April 26, council agreed to write to the CFA to continue to work with them and the state government to find a suitable location for the station.
Council corporate director, Adele Drago said council was approached last year by the CFA for help in finding a new location as the current station was not suitable to meet operational needs.
“Over the past year, several sites have been considered but only [the recreation reserve] in the southwest corner… was deemed suitable,” Ms Drago said.
“During consultation, the community… felt that the current [the recreation reserve] proposal was not able to appropriately address the concerns of the community.”
Key concerns include traffic congestion, loss of recreation space, loss of space for Scouts, risks to younger people using the recreation space, and lack of parking.
Councillor Bill West said council had to try and get the best outcome for the community.
“It’s pretty obvious there’s going to be no universal agreement, and we’ve got to try and get the best outcome possible,” Cr West said.
Deputy Mayor Jennifer Anderson agreed that a more suitable location was needed, especially one that maintains the available space in Riddells Creek.
“It’s obvious from the submissions that everybody wants to support the CFA but there is a passion for open space in our Riddells Creek community,” Cr Anderson said.
“Particularly if there is that potential with the CFA thinking they may even need to expand in the future, that’s a potential future loss [of open space].”
Council thanked the community for its engagement and taking the time to submit feedback in relation to the proposal.
