City of Bassendean wants to obtain the former Bassendean Fire Station

The station officially closed its doors on October 30 after the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) decided the Bassendean Volunteer Fire and Rescue brigade would be relocated to Forrestfield.

Since then the building has been left unoccupied and uncared for.

Cr Gangell said since then council had tried to acquire the building and site to ensure that it remained a community asset.

He said he had also spoken to Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis about the matter and had followed this up with a formal letter outlining council’s wishes.

‘As it is coming up to the one-year anniversary of the closure of the station, it is timely to reintegrate the campaign to ensure that the Bassendean Fire Station remains in community hands,’ he said.

‘I have spoken with Joe Francis and he was very receptive to the proposal of the Town of Bassendean acquiring the building which will ensure it continues to remain an asset for the Bassendean community.’

Mr Francis said if the Bassendean Fire Station was of no further value to emergency services, he was happy to facilitate discussion between the Town and DFES about its future.

‘Its sale could be a win-win for taxpayers and for the local community,’ he said.

In a race against the clock, Cr Gangell hoped this would happen soon, given Local Government reform and the lack of maintenance on the site since the brigade’s relocation.

‘The building is of great significance to the residents of Bassendean, as it has been a part of our community for many years,’ he said.

‘However of growing concern is the length of time that the building has been unoccupied and allowed to potentially deteriorate due to a lack of maintenance.’

Operating for 102 years, the brigade had a rich history, providing vital assistance with fire emergencies and had enjoyed great success in the fire fighter games.