BUSHFIRE CENTRE OF
EXCELLENCE
83. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the $18 million Bushfire
Centre of Excellence now under construction in Nambeelup and funded by the
emergency services levy.
(1) Does the government's Percent for Art
policy apply to the construction of the Bushfire Centre of Excellence?
(2) If yes to (1), what will the
artwork budget be?
(3) What ESL
moneys have been directed into artwork across the state under the Percent for
Art policy in each of the last three years?
(4) Are there
any requests from volunteer or career firefighting brigades across the state
for equipment over the last three years that have been denied?
(5) If yes to (4), what is the total
cost of those requests?
(6) Please list
those requests for fire emergency equipment referred to in part (4) that were
denied because they were determined to be not necessary.
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by
the Minister for Emergency Services. I note that this was answered on 6 February,
so it is current to that date. I do not think it makes a difference; it is just
so the honourable member is aware.
(1)–(2) Yes. The bipartisan state government Percent for
Art scheme requires up to one per cent of the construction budget for
new works to be expended on artworks. The scheme employs local Western Australians
to deliver art for new public buildings, including fire stations. The artwork
budget for the Bushfire Centre of Excellence has not been finalised.
(3) In 2017, it
was nil. In 2018, it was estimated to be $65 000; however, artwork is
integrated into the building designs and features. In 2019, it was nil.
(4)–(6) No
requests from volunteer or career firefighting brigades have been denied as a result
of the need to comply with the Percent for Art policy.