Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick has given the Member for Gregory assurances that he will investigate the concerns raised by the Alpha Fire and Emergency Services captain John Mahon that the new fire station will be unfit for use.

“I met with the Minister personally during this week’s parliamentary sitting and raised the concerns with him face to face,” said Lachlan Millar MP.

“Minister Dick gave me a commitment to investigate the issues and respond to me. I am hopeful that we will be able to get practical outcomes. I will be actively following up with the Minister’s office for that response,” he said.

The new Alpha Hospital will be Queensland’s first co-located facility which brings the hospital, ambulance, police and fire stations together on the one campus.

As the Longreach Leader reported on February 12 the Fire and Emergency Services captain has identified serious issues with the foam storage area, the training pad and the ladder rack.

The issues mean the current Fire and Emergency Services facility will have to be retained so the unit can function, relegating the new facility to parking garage status.