- Stirling SES to move into new state-of-the-art Osborne Park headquarters
- Cook Government invests $2.7 million from Emergency Services Levy
- Stirling SES volunteers spent 1,400 hours helping 1,000 people over the past two years
One of Western Australia's busiest State Emergency Service units - the Stirling SES - are about to move into their new $3.2 million headquarters thanks to a multimillion-dollar helping hand from the Cook Government.
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the state-of-the-art facility in the centre of Osborne Park would greatly enhance the unit's ability to serve the local community.
The Leeway Court property was purchased for $2.7 million through the Emergency Services Levy (ESL), with an additional $300,000 coming from the ESL to fund the renovations. The facility also received a further $227,750 boost from the City of Stirling, who also managed the works.
The Stirling SES unit currently operates out of two separate properties in Nollamara with its administration function and operational vehicles based at different locations.
In a sizeable upgrade, the new 2,000sqm Osborne Park SES headquarters features a 950sqm building with large office spaces, two warehouses and 24 parking bays.
DFES worked closely with the City of Stirling to find the ideal location, choosing a site that has access to major roads to help reduce response times across the Perth metropolitan area.
Stirling SES has 37 volunteers and has responded to 215 incidents in the past two years, including fixing storm-damaged homes, assisting with land searches and deploying to Bunbury after a tornado tore through the area in May 2024.
Stirling SES members have directly assisted 927 people and spent 1,405 hours responding to incidents over the past two years, in addition to time spent training and running the unit.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The Cook Government is committed to providing our frontline emergency services with modern facilities and the latest equipment to ensure they are well prepared to protect and assist Western Australians during an emergency.
"Ensuring the Stirling SES has a larger more functional property in the heart of Osborne Park provides a strong foundation for this unit to grow, and it will also reduce their response times in a densely populated area.
"Every dollar raised through the ESL pays for the delivery of critical and life-saving emergency services across our State, including this key project based in one of the most populated areas in Perth."
As stated by Scarborough MLA Stuart Aubrey:
"Our emergency services volunteers give precious hours of their time to prepare and protect our communities.
"Having been a volunteer surf life saver myself, I know how important it is to have modern, state-of-the-art facilities. These resources are essential so our volunteers can carry out their life-saving duties to the best of their abilities.
"I am proud to be a part of the Cook Government and our commitment to supporting our Stirling SES members with a centrally located, newly renovated building.
"This upgrade will enhance response times and provide space for training, particularly as we prepare for the upcoming storm season."
As stated by Churchlands MLA Christine Tonkin:
"This is great news that the Cook Government is ensuring our local SES will get a state-of-the-art facility to help protect the local community.
"No one wants to have to call on our emergency services, but knowing that this new centre is so well located at the heart of our community will be welcomed by all."
As stated by Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
"Western Australia is fortunate to have close to 2,000 SES volunteers who regularly put their lives on hold to respond to storms, cyclones, floods, land searches, vertical rescues and car crashes.
"Stirling SES volunteers are often turning out to respond to storm damage and other emergencies in difficult conditions and this new facility will better support their significant response efforts.
"DFES has worked collaboratively with the City of Stirling and the Stirling SES leadership team to achieve the best outcome for our volunteers and we look forward to having them moved in before the 2025 storm season."
