The Basin Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteer fire station in the City of Knox will be replaced with a $3.2 million funding boost as part of the Andrews Government’s Fire Services Reform.
Member for Bayswater Jackson Taylor said the facilities in The Basin CFA would be modernised to provide better spaces for volunteers and adequate space to accommodate their vehicles and emergency appliances.
The search for land for the new station is already underway, which will house a building area between 490m2 and 530m2.
The new station at The Basin will replace a building which is more than 37 years old. Although the existing building is in fair condition, it is inadequate to accommodate changes areas for volunteers and meet the operational support needs for the brigade.
The new building will include improved amenities for volunteers of all genders and provide greater access and facilities for members with disabilities, and include areas for meetings, training and other relevant needs.
The Basin CFA Station is one of 16 being replaced under the $126 million CFA capability funding to meet the demands of growing townships and emerging weather threats well into the future.
The package was announced as part of the government’s Fire Services Reform in June 2020 to provide the CFA with greater capability in critical areas, such as funding for new volunteer training programs in health and safety and leadership and 50 new dual cab appliances with burn over defensive systems.
It also includes funding for a trial of respiratory equipment to protect volunteer firefighters from the harmful effects of bushfire smoke, new personal protective clothing for every active operational volunteer firefighter, as well as a range of brigade support measures.
This builds on the $100 million in additional funding the CFA has already received in the last four years to modernise its fleet and infrastructure.
Quotes attributable to Local Member Jackson Taylor
“I’m so proud of the work that each and every one of our local CFA volunteers do to keep us all safe – and I’m stoked that over $3 million has been locked into this year’s Budget to rebuild The Basin CFA.”
“The new station will see them get the first-class facilities they not only need to train and attract further recruits, but also the facilities they deserve as mainstays of our hills community.”
