Published on Wednesday, 19 April 2023 at 2:00:00 AM
A new Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade Station is set to be constructed in Oakford after getting the green light from the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale Council.
Council approved the development application for the emergency services facility to be located at Lot 800 Pony Place, Oakford at its meeting on Monday, 20 March 2023.
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Approval of the application heralds a major milestone in what has been a long-term collaboration between the Shire, the Oakford Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, the Shire’s Emergency Support Brigade and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
Council endorsed the two-hectare portion of land on Pony Place as the location for the future station back in August 2020.
The Shire was then awarded a 10-year, self-supporting loan as part of the 2021 Local Government Grants Scheme to fund the delivery of the new station.
Shire President Cr Michelle Rich said the new volunteer station would be a huge boost for local firefighting services across Serpentine Jarrahdale.
“This new station will not only create a new home for the Oakford Brigade, but will also accommodate our Shire’s Emergency Support Brigade,” Cr Rich said.
“Both of these brigades and the volunteers behind them are vital to ensuring our Shire’s safety in the face of bushfire.
“It has been a long-standing goal of the Shire’s to deliver a permanent home for these brigades, so it’s wonderful to reach this significant milestone with the development application now approved.”
Oakford Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade Captain Mike Ross said Council’s approval of the application had secured the future of the brigade.
“This approval ensures our brigade will have a permanent home for a very long time,” Mr Ross said.
“It will be a launching pad for us to recruit new members and will also allow us to host other brigades and services when responding to larger emergencies in the area.
“We’re really pleased to see this going ahead and we can’t wait to get to work on design and get it all in motion.”
The Oakford Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade consists of approximately 30 members, attending an average of 100 call outs every fire season.
The new station will include 28 car parking bays and a designated training area.
It will accommodate activities such as specialised brigade training, vehicle and equipment maintenance and 24/7 emergency response.
For more information or future updates on the Oakford Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade Station project, visit: www.yoursaysj.sjshire.wa.gov.au/oakfordstation
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