Published Tuesday, 16 December, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Minister for Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
Successful investigation into budget accommodation
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts has announced the successful completion of an investigation into allegedly unregistered budget accommodation in the Bundaberg region, with a number of owners being served with compliance notices.
“A joint campaign by Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) and Bundaberg Regional Council inspected the alleged non-compliant buildings,” Mr Roberts said.
“The inspection took place over the past week,” he said, “with the following results.”
• 25 buildings and site visits were completed by Friday, 12 December 2008.
• Two buildings were deemed to be private residences with no further action required; it was not possible to gain entry into another building; and two Caravan Parks had no case to answer.
• Owners of 20 buildings were forwarded to the QFRS ‘Compliance and Prosecutions’ section for further action. The buildings did not comply with the Fire Safety Standard legislation through non-compliant Early Warning systems – such as smoke alarms, or Emergency Lighting; and /or having no Fire Safety Management Plan.
The owners have until midday, 24 December 2008 to comply or cease operating.
They have been advised to reduce occupant numbers in the premises to less than six and also remove all bedding provisions for more than five people.
“These joint activities are part of the routine inspections undertaken by my Department and are a good example of Government organisations working together to administer safety regulations,” Mr Roberts said.
“We’re serious about ensuring the safety of those people making use of budget accommodation in the State of Queensland.
“I want to encourage people to raise any concerns they may have about suspected illegal budget accommodation so we can deal with them in a timely manner,” he said.
Under the QFRS State-wide Integrated Operational Planning Process (SIOPP) the Service inspects budget accommodation on a three yearly basis.
Media contact - Malcolm Grieve, 0427 822 676
“A joint campaign by Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) and Bundaberg Regional Council inspected the alleged non-compliant buildings,” Mr Roberts said.
“The inspection took place over the past week,” he said, “with the following results.”
• 25 buildings and site visits were completed by Friday, 12 December 2008.
• Two buildings were deemed to be private residences with no further action required; it was not possible to gain entry into another building; and two Caravan Parks had no case to answer.
• Owners of 20 buildings were forwarded to the QFRS ‘Compliance and Prosecutions’ section for further action. The buildings did not comply with the Fire Safety Standard legislation through non-compliant Early Warning systems – such as smoke alarms, or Emergency Lighting; and /or having no Fire Safety Management Plan.
The owners have until midday, 24 December 2008 to comply or cease operating.
They have been advised to reduce occupant numbers in the premises to less than six and also remove all bedding provisions for more than five people.
“These joint activities are part of the routine inspections undertaken by my Department and are a good example of Government organisations working together to administer safety regulations,” Mr Roberts said.
“We’re serious about ensuring the safety of those people making use of budget accommodation in the State of Queensland.
“I want to encourage people to raise any concerns they may have about suspected illegal budget accommodation so we can deal with them in a timely manner,” he said.
Under the QFRS State-wide Integrated Operational Planning Process (SIOPP) the Service inspects budget accommodation on a three yearly basis.
Media contact - Malcolm Grieve, 0427 822 676