Page 3137 - Week 10 - Thursday, 15 August 2013
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MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Gentleman.
MR GENTLEMAN: Minister, can you please outline what progress has been made with the south Tuggeranong station?
MR CORBELL: I thank Mr Gentleman for the supplementary. The government is now proceeding with work to develop further fire capability, a new fire station, for the south Tuggeranong region. This is another important step in our commitment to implementing the emergency services station relocation strategy to make sure our fire and ambulance stations are exactly where they need to be, to maintain or improve fire and ambulance cover across the city and to meet the needs of a growing and developing city.
The new station is proposed to be built to the south-east of the roundabout intersection of Tharwa and Drakeford drives. As I have indicated, just under $18 million has been allocated in this year’s budget for the construction of this new fire and rescue station. The ESA has already held DA pre-application meetings with the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate and is now preparing the necessary documentation for its development application. In addition, work is now underway in relation to Shared Services Procurement arrangements, and it is anticipated that the tender for the construction process should be commenced in early September.
The station’s designs have been developed through significant end-user consultation with operational crews and also with the input of their respective union representatives. As a result, I am confident the government is delivering purpose-built facilitates that meet the needs of our emergency services and will enhance their capability for the next 40-odd years.
This is a very important program for the government and a very important investment in improving community safety right across the city, but particularly in areas like west Belconnen, south Tuggeranong and the Lanyon Valley it is very important that we improve and maintain emergency services coverage.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, what other work is being undertaken to progress the station upgrade and relocation strategy?
MR CORBELL: I thank Ms Porter for her supplementary. There is $1.65 million allocated as a result of last year’s budget for due diligence assessments for new or improved ESA facilities in Fyshwick, Calwell, Greenway, Gungahlin, Pialligo and the city centre. This is a mixture of both fire and ambulance, co-located and separate facilities. This preparatory work will allow us to make further decisions about phase 2 of the strategy.
Just to drill down into that in a bit more detail, phase 2 of the strategy is looking at these sites: Fyshwick, ambulance, fire and rescue plus technical operations support facilities on the site of the existing Fyshwick fire station; Calwell, looking at a new
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