Mr WOOD - 2009-10-19
On 28 April 2009, you announced planning for a new $12.3m fire station at Berrimah, which will begin in 2009-10, and that Budget 2009-10 provides funding for the identification of a site for the new station at Berrimah. Is it true that the former Police Commissioner decided to build the new fire station on a large portion of the Wongabilla property at Berrimah, which is run by police for PCYC and juvenile diversion programs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. There is no doubt, with a growing Territory population and more industry coming to Darwin, we need to expand the capacity of our fire services, and that is what we did in Budget 2009-10. As the member for Nelson has said, the funding is there for an additional 25 fire fighters, with Darwin to receive 11 of these and nine to be stationed in Alice Springs.
There is a commitment for a new fire station in Berrimah. We have planned for this development to begin during the 2009-10 period. The station will need to be in a strategic location. The firies do a lot of work in terms of planning with precision timing and access to various areas, population centres and industries to identify a suitable location. It needs to service the residential and growing residential needs of Darwin and Palmerston and the rural area, as well as the growing industrial base at the Business Park and East Arm Port.
I can advise the member for Nelson that they are looking at sites. I have not had a selection of sites come to me yet as the minister for Fire Services. Based on the work that was done for the new fire station that is now part of the Marrara sporting complex, I know that when that work comes forward, it will be well considered, it will be well argued, and in line with Australian standards for access to various areas. However, no specific site has been identified as yet.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. There is no doubt, with a growing Territory population and more industry coming to Darwin, we need to expand the capacity of our fire services, and that is what we did in Budget 2009-10. As the member for Nelson has said, the funding is there for an additional 25 fire fighters, with Darwin to receive 11 of these and nine to be stationed in Alice Springs.
There is a commitment for a new fire station in Berrimah. We have planned for this development to begin during the 2009-10 period. The station will need to be in a strategic location. The firies do a lot of work in terms of planning with precision timing and access to various areas, population centres and industries to identify a suitable location. It needs to service the residential and growing residential needs of Darwin and Palmerston and the rural area, as well as the growing industrial base at the Business Park and East Arm Port.
I can advise the member for Nelson that they are looking at sites. I have not had a selection of sites come to me yet as the minister for Fire Services. Based on the work that was done for the new fire station that is now part of the Marrara sporting complex, I know that when that work comes forward, it will be well considered, it will be well argued, and in line with Australian standards for access to various areas. However, no specific site has been identified as yet.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016