It
has become painfully obvious that the Newman government is paying lip service
only to having the Magnetic Island Recreation Centre continue in its current
roles. That is firstly as an Active recreation Centre for kids & other
groups, and secondly, the most important priority at this time, as Magnetic
Island's only designated
disaster relief & recovery Centre.
There
are no designated, public cyclone Shelters or places of refuge on the
island.
The
decommissioning of the Magnetic Island centre effectively place the lives and
wellbeing of Magnetic Island residents and visitors at risk in the event of a
disaster such as cyclone or severe flooding.
The Magnetic island facility is the only one that has the capacity to provide a temporary home for residents homeless as a result of a disaster. It sleeps 100 but has the capacity to sustain at least another 50. The kitchen can cater for 200 or more. There are 6 other Emergency facilities on Magnetic Island, these are evacuation centres only, but there is only one capable of sustaining families in the event of a disaster and the post period.
The Magnetic island facility is the only one that has the capacity to provide a temporary home for residents homeless as a result of a disaster. It sleeps 100 but has the capacity to sustain at least another 50. The kitchen can cater for 200 or more. There are 6 other Emergency facilities on Magnetic Island, these are evacuation centres only, but there is only one capable of sustaining families in the event of a disaster and the post period.
Recreation
Minister Steve Dickson’s callous statement in the Townsville Bulletin Monday 12
November has made the government's position quite clear. He "could not guarantee
the facility would be in a usable condition during a cyclone" And that
designation of disaster recovery centres was the responsibility of the
Townsville City Council.
Minister,
the 'designation of disaster recovery centres' may be the responsibility of the
Townsville City Council but, Mr Dickson, how can the Council 'designate' a
facility when the only suitable property on the island is being closed and
decommissioned?
The
state government has no right to place the well being of Magnetic Islands
Residents and
visitors at risk. Cyclone season is upon us, We may or may not have a
devastating cyclone or flood situation but it is the government’s duty of care
to ensure that this facility remains on
standby. Not to decommission it. If the worst happens we will hold the state
government responsible.
Send a message to the people who closed and decommissioned our Relief & Recovery Centre at
The Magnetic Island Active Recreation Centre
Click on the names to send your email
Campbell Newman, Premier, Steven Dickson Recreation Minister,
Rob Ashton Senior Bureaucrat Department of Communities.
and last and least
John Hathaway MP member for ??? representing ???
And sign the petition before 28 November 2012
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