Change in tune over fire strategy

CAIRNS’ new performing arts centre has hit fresh drama with the council trying to change the script on agreed safety improvements.

Fire authorities say they are considering a proposal from Cairns Regional Council for changes to fire safety measures put in place at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre which allowed it to open on time last year.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said they received a letter from the council earlier this month seeking alternative safety strategies.

Council received a last-minute approval to open the $71.1 million facility in December on the proviso they met a raft of conditions.

Council received a certificate of classification permitting it to open the facility on December 15 after months of wrestling over the fire safety of its external cladding.

Council chief executive John Andrejic said this was not an attempt to “renege” on the original agreement and the building certifier had requested the reassessment.

“The conditions require formal documentation to be submitted on the proposed additional works to QFES for their review prior to commencing any works,” he said.

“The risk assessment for CPAC found that the building is low risk and has sufficient safety and fire systems in place to ensure the safety of building occupants at all times including in the extremely unlikely event that the external walls of the building caught on fire.”

But Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said he was “livid” council was now trying to backtrack on an agreement they had proposed themselves.

“It’s alarming to me that they would make an agreement and sign on the dotted line, telling the people of Cairns what needs to be done,” he said.

“This is very much a public safety issue.

“I’m livid about it and I think ratepayers of Cairns should be too.”

The Cairns Post understands council lawyers also requested – and were refused – interviews with firefighters involved in the original assessment.

The QFES spokeswoman said the letter from council was “proposing alternative building fire strategies ... to those previously agreed upon in 2018”.

“The original arrangements were put in place to ensure the long-term fire safety of the CPAC. QFES is considering the proposal and this process is ongoing,” she said.

Division 4 councillor Richie Bates said he believed council should honour the original agreement.

“Council entered into a contract with QFES and agreed to remediation work of the noncompliant cladding,” he said.

“We should honour that.”