New $1.9m Holmesville fire station opens

Published: 16th June 2010

Member for Cessnock Kerry Hickey MP representing the Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan today officially opened the new Holmesville Fire Station as part of a $2.4 million investment in the safety of the Hunter Valley community.

Mr Hickey joined the NSW Fire Brigades Commissioner Greg Mullins and firefighters for the opening of the $1.9 million station.

Mr Hickey also inspected the station's new $550,000 fire engine.

"Fire stations are a large investment in the safety of our community and this new station is a direct investment in the protection of residents and businesses in the Lake Macquarie area," he said.

"The State Government is committed to providing our firefighters with the facilities, equipment and training they need.

"This station is part of the largest building program in the NSW Fire Brigades' history, providing new and upgraded facilities for communities around the State, at a cost of more than $130 million.

"Over 16 years, the Government has invested more than $6.8 billion in the Fire Brigades, including a budget of $637 million for 2010/11."

Mr Hickey said the purpose-built Holmesville station, which replaced the West Wallsend Fire Station, included two fire engine bays, a training room, meal and study areas and storage for firefighting equipment and uniforms.

"The station will be staffed by full-time and on-call firefighters to respond to emergencies around the clock," he said.

"The NSW Government is committed to making communities around the State safer places to live and work and this new fire station and engine are a tremendous boost for this area of the Hunter."

NSWFB Commissioner Greg Mullins said the new station was a first class facility, enabling firefighters to provide fire and emergency protection to the community in the Hunter's Lake Macquarie district.

"This valuable new facility greatly assists our firefighters to protect lives and property," Commissioner Mullins said.

Mr Hickey said spending in the NSW Fire Brigades' $637 million 2010/11 budget included:

$18 million for more than 35 new fire engines and specialised vehicles

$8.4 million for firefighting and counter terrorism plant and equipment

$10 million for new and renovated fire stations and training facilities

$2.5 million for Community Fire Units and

$1.3 million for a Workplace Conduct and Investigation Unit.

"The Government is continuing to invest in the safety of the Hunter Valley," he said.

"This budget includes nine new fire engines worth almost $5 million to be delivered to local stations and the Cardiff and Merriwa stations are to be upgraded to improve working conditions for firefighters."