Rhodes Fire Station: Fire and Rescue NSW considering relocation to Ryde

Despite previous warnings of dangerous consequences, a fire station in a booming Sydney suburb could close its doors, leaving residents with longer wait times for emergency services.

Inner West residents have rallied against the possible closure of a fire station, claiming its relocation could put lives at risk and lead to catastrophic consequences in a rapidly growing suburb.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) are in talks with the owner of the site of Rhodes fire station about the property’s future, prompting concerns firefighters will be relocated to Ryde.

This possibility has been met with fierce opposition, with Rhodes residents voicing their anger at a rally.

As part of a rapidly booming area, Rhodes fire station receives around 1300 calls for assistance each year compared to its neighbouring Drummoyne and Balmain fire stations, which receive about 500 calls each per year.

Helen Inglis, a longtime Rhodes resident, said there was a crucial need for a local fire station because of her suburb’s congested roads and booming population.

Local residents at the protest to save Rhodes Fire Station. Picture: Odessa Blain.

“(If there’s a major fire) we could be dead — we can’t be waiting 40 minutes for fire services,” Ms Inglis said.

“Our population is already 15,000 in this tiny area and they’re just building more and more, so what they’re doing is putting lives at risk and it’s so dangerous.”

Helen Inglis.

Speaking at the rally Labor councillor Julia Little, who is running for the seat of Drummoyne in the upcoming state election, said the possible closure of the fire station would put lives at risk.

“Emergency services are essential for any community, especially growing communities,” Ms Little said. “Safety should be a priority not an afterthought.”

Lakemba MP and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib also said saving the Rhodes fire station was a matter of urgency.

“When families move into an area they expect essential services … they expect safety,” Mr Dib said.

“Any common sense person will tell you that if you want to increase the density of a community you’ve got to make sure they’re safe.

“(And) we’ve got high density here, we’ve got so many units, we’ve got cladding, we’ve got tired streets — any moment that’s lost is another danger and you don’t want to be in a situation where you are waiting for those essential services to arrive.”

Labor candidate for Drummoyne Julia Little, State Labor MP Jihad Dib and Canada Bay councillor Andrew Ferguson all attended the rally.

A 2020 Fire and Rescue NSW document, seen by this publication, discussed the future of the Rhodes Fire Station and raised concerns about its relocation.

“Should FRNSW have to look for a new site outside of the current opportunities, there is significant doubt that an appropriate site could be secured given the nature of the land holdings and the location needs of the service,” the document states.

“Rhodes provides a strategic location for FRNSW’s future service delivery, having regards to not only the development proposed around the peninsular itself, but also surrounding areas like Wentworth Point, Olympic Park and Meadowbank.”

Rhodes Fire Station in 2021.

Rhodes Fire Brigade circa 1930.

It is understood the majority of firefighters who work at the Rhodes Fire Station live in Canada Bay — not Ryde.

The current response time for fire fighters is eight to ten minutes, but this could be increased by half an hour — or more — if Rhodes firefighters travelled to Ryde Fire Station, a delay which would worsen in the peak hour traffic notorious for grinding Ryde Bridge to a standstill.

In a statement, FRNSW’s deputy commissioner of field operations, Jeremy Fewtrell, said the property is currently being leased as past of a longstanding agreement.

“Fire and Rescue NSW is consulting with the owner of the Rhodes property about their future plans for the site,” Mr Fewtrell said.

“No decision about the property has been made at this stage.”