Concept and landscape designs are being developed for the new Emergency Services Precinct following approval of the site's Masterplan by both Hawkesbury City Council and NSW Rural Fire Service.
Council, in partnership with the NSW Government, will develop a new Hawkesbury Emergency Services Precinct on newly-purchased land at the corner of Kurmond and McKinnons roads in Wilberforce, to replace the existing and aging centre at Macquarie Road. The new precinct will incorporate the NSW SES base at Wilberforce.
The concept plans will include the detailed layout for the new Fire Control Centre and preparation of detailed plans to progress this project through the approvals and tender process. The Fire Control Centre is one component of the overall precinct.
Mayor Les Sheather and Deputy Mayor Sarah McMahon, together with Council officers and senior RFS leadership – including Deputy Commissioners and Commissioner Rob Rogers, met in December to reaffirm their commitment to the project, which was followed up in writing to Council in January.
Deputy Mayor Sarah McMahon said the delivery of the new centre, especially in the aftermath of the 2019/2020 bushfires is "absolutely vital for our community".
"We have the commitment from the Commissioner himself that the funding is locked in and the Hawkesbury will be receiving a new Hawkesbury Fire Control Centre in the near future," Clr McMahon said.
"We want to thank the RFS, the State Government and our Council staff for their due diligence in ensuring this land is secured, and this crucial project to keep our community safe will be delivered."
RFS District Manager for the Hawkesbury, Superintendent Jonathon Hill, welcomed the progress on delivering the new fire control centre.
"With the land at McKinnons Road secured, a commitment to the funding and designs well underway, all of the Hawkesbury can be confident that a new fire control centre will be built very soon," Superintendent Hill said.
"The new centre will significantly boost bushfire response, coordination and resilience in the Hawkesbury and I know all our RFS members and volunteers are eagerly anticipating its construction."
