The WA Government in Perth says a new fire-and-rescue HQ at Margaret River will be finished by June. Photo: stock
Construction of a new $5.1m volunteer emergency services headquarters in WA’s Margaret River is expected to be finished by June.
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson says the new Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) station is also located next door to the State Emergency Service base on Clarke Road, Margaret River.
The new station is located on 3200 square metres, more than three times the size of its current site; volunteers will have more room for operations, safety equipment and vehicles.
“This new $5.1m headquarters will provide Margaret River VFRS with a facility to ensure they are well prepared for the ever-evolving challenges in emergency services,” Dawson says.
“Upgrading the facilities for our volunteers will also provide greater support for their welfare and safety before, during and after emergencies.
“It is also pleasing that the Margaret River VFRS volunteers had a say in the design of the new building, providing input on how to make the facility more user friendly to suit local needs,” Dawson says.
“This is all about listening and responding to the needs of our volunteers and helping them to respond to the community’s calls for help.”
Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie says the modern facilities and most up-to-date equipment are a sign of support for VFRS crews.
“I welcome the new $5.1m headquarters located in Margaret River and I know the local community will benefit from this state-of-the-art facility.
“I appreciate the Cook Government listening to both my advocacy and the advocacy of the Margaret River locals and delivering on these calls for action.”
The Margaret River VFRS has 27 members who gave around 1325 hours of their time to attend to 195 incidents in the past two years, including road crashes, vehicle fires, structure fires and bushfires.
The brigade helped to protect communities around Donnybrook during a major blaze in the Lower South-West in January last year.
