Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant attended the official opening of Wallsend's new fire station this morning, but Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery remains disappointed with his decision to sell the original building.
Grant was joined at the new Summerhill Road premises by Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot Macdonald and representatives from Fire and Rescue NSW, but Sonia Hornery was not invited despite her strong advocacy for the new facilities.
Ms Hornery accused Mr Grant of "playing politics" with emergency services after he failed to respond to her requests to leave the original fire station in public hands.
Sonia Hornery had asked the Minister to keep the original Devon Street premises public in order to provide a space for use by community groups such as Blue Gum Hills Men's Shed, but the property was listed for sale earlier this week.
Troy Grant responded to Ms Hornery's accusations, telling 2NURFM News that he wasn't aware Ms Hornery wasn't invited to today's event until this morning.
"It was certainly not political," said Mr Grant.
"I know how immensely proud she is and it's all credit to her that the (new) fire station is now up and running."
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| The new Wallsend Fire Station. Picture: Facebook. |
