The land is part of a road reserve that is owned and maintained by the council. Photo: Upper Lachlan Shire Council.
A southern NSW community’s plans for a new fire station are a little closer after their council agreed to subdivide land for the project.
The Gunning Brigade of the NSW Rural Fire Service is planning to build a new fire station, with part of a road reserve at the Hume and Grovenor streets intersection identified as its chosen location.
At a recent meeting, Upper Lachlan Shire Council (ULSC) unanimously voted in favour of the plan.
Councillor Rob Cameron called on his fellow councillors to support the proposal.
“I think this is long awaited and much needed – the location of the existing fire shed station in Gunning is inadequate.
“It spans two titles. There’s long been representations from the Gunning bridgade to move … I think this is an excellent utilisation of, otherwise, essentially wasted land that can be put to a fantastic community service purpose.”
Following the meeting, district manager for the NSW RFS Southern Tablelands Zone Superintendent Krystaal Hinds described the vote as a “good step forward for the project”.
“The NSW RFS is working closely with the council to try and deliver a new station for that brigade,” Ms Hinds said.
“Obviously, it takes a bit of time and there’s a bit to it, but the Gunning Brigade station is one of the high-priority projects for the zone. … It’s definitely something the brigade has been looking at for quite a while.”
The vote means that ULSC permits the NSW RFS to use the land for a fire station, subject to appropriate agreements being developed between involved parties.
The site will also be classified as operational land.
Meeting papers state that during early investigations into the project, Crown Land indicated support for the proposal and agreed to dedicate the land to ULSC.
“The identified area forms part of a wide section of road reserve that is currently owned and maintained by council,” according to the documents.
“The portion proposed to be subdivided is not required for current or foreseeable road operations.
“The site has historically been used on a limited basis for the temporary storage of surplus materials associated with local works.”
Superintendent Hinds said a timeline for the project was unclear, but the next goal would be acquiring funding for the project.
“There’s a process we have to follow – getting the land allocated is the first part of that process,” Ms Hinds said.
“I can’t guarantee that we’ll have funding allocated in the next year … As soon as we’re able to secure those funds, we’ll be able to make a move on that station build.”
She also said they would be looking at developing a design for a new facility.
“The Gunning Brigade is a busy brigade within the zone, so we would be hoping to deliver something for them that’s fit for purpose … [Ideally it would have] the truck bay station, a training room and some facilities that will help keep them safe and healthy.”
ULSC meeting papers state that, following the subdivision, the council will keep ownership of the new lot.
