Community News - providing readers with the very latest in local news, sport, entertainment and more.
Camera IconCommunity News - providing readers with the very latest in local news, sport, entertainment and more. Credit: Community News

Local SES depot to get size upgrade

Tyler BrownWanneroo Times

The unit, based at 21 Winton Road, needs a new administration area and an increase in operational areas, including a command and control centre, planning and training areas.

Following consultation with the unit and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), the City of Joondalup prepared design drawings to extend the facility.

The City has applied to the Local Government Grants Scheme to fund the extension, excluding power upgrades and site works.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

For grants more than $250,000, the City needs to enter into a loan arrangement with a financing body, which DFES will reimburse.

The cost of the extension is estimated to be $824,000, of which $729,000 can be covered by the loan and $95,000 for site works and utility upgrades will be funded by the City.

Joondalup councillors at last Tuesday's meeting approved to finance the construction loan through the WA Treasury Corporation and list $824,000 in the draft 2015-16 capital works budget.

The unit has been in the Winton Road depot since 1984.

It was designed to support 35 members. The unit now has 61 members with another 45 looking to join this year.

"A review (in 2009) identified that from a volunteer's perspective, the area was uncomfortable and difficult to function," a council document said.

"The facility was considered an unsafe environment to work in and the amenities were unable to cater for its own and additional support services."