❓ Question regarding the inadequate emergency lighting at Punmu's RFDS landing facilities, potentially endangering lives during night evacuations. Minister acknowledges the issue and promises investigation.
AnsweredQoN 2208Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to the RFDS and landing facilities at Punmu -
(1) Is the Minister aware that on April 5 2003 the RFDS could not land for a night evacuation at Punmu due to the inability of the emergency lighting provided to the nursing post to remain lit long enough to facilitate a landing?
(2) Is the Minister aware that out of the 34 emergency lights provided to facilitate night time evacuations, only 13 will hold a two and a half hour charge with only one of these holding the maximum five hour charge, and that of the remainder, 13 of these lights will hold no charge at all?
(3) Is the Minister aware that the community of Punmu has approximately $30 000 set aside to help facilitate the implementation of pilot operated emergency lighting, and that other funding is available from the Commonwealth for such facilities?
(4) In light of the issues raised above, will the Minister ensure that proper facilities such as pilot operated emergency lighting be installed at Punmu to ensure that lives will not be placed at risk?
(5) Will the Minister ensure that the emergency lighting is serviced to ensure that they are all in working condition?
(1) Is the Minister aware that on April 5 2003 the RFDS could not land for a night evacuation at Punmu due to the inability of the emergency lighting provided to the nursing post to remain lit long enough to facilitate a landing?
(2) Is the Minister aware that out of the 34 emergency lights provided to facilitate night time evacuations, only 13 will hold a two and a half hour charge with only one of these holding the maximum five hour charge, and that of the remainder, 13 of these lights will hold no charge at all?
(3) Is the Minister aware that the community of Punmu has approximately $30 000 set aside to help facilitate the implementation of pilot operated emergency lighting, and that other funding is available from the Commonwealth for such facilities?
(4) In light of the issues raised above, will the Minister ensure that proper facilities such as pilot operated emergency lighting be installed at Punmu to ensure that lives will not be placed at risk?
(5) Will the Minister ensure that the emergency lighting is serviced to ensure that they are all in working condition?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 September 2004
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
35 days
(2-5) The responsibility for servicing and maintaining air strips in remote Aboriginal communities is the joint responsibility of the Department of Housing and Works, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Commonwealth government agencies and the community. I will request that the agencies investigate the lighting problem at Punmu community to ensure that appropriate lighting is available for night time air evacuations.
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