Construction starts on $6m Busby fire station after delays
A southwest Sydney fire station with gender-neutral amenities is set to become one of the state’s largest facilities when it opens. Take a look at the plans.
Liverpool
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Construction has started on a southwest Sydney fire station - set to become one of the state’s largest facilities - nearly a year after the multimillion-dollar plans were announced.
The demolition of the existing Busby fire station started on Friday at Cartwright Ave to make way for the $6.6m facility on the 2100sq m site – incorporating the former Green Valley ambulance station next door.
Busby firefighters relocated 10 minutes away to Liverpool fire station at Moorebank after their station closed in September last year but the crew had no confirmed start date for months after the new base was projected to open in June.
The station is expected to be completed in the next financial year.
Liverpool state Labor MP Charishma Kaliyanda said the old fire station was built in the 1960s and the upgrades would “bring the amenities within the fire station into the 21st century” to better service the growing Liverpool area.
“The new fire station will provide a boost to the area’s capability to respond to emergencies,” she said.
“It will enable the local crew to return to the community and continue to provide the best possible service to the people of Miller and surrounds.”
A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said the former building was “at the end of its functional life” and the station’s design did not support a diverse workforce or provide adequate separation to reduce exposure to carcinogens and contaminants.
“The former station had small rooms, limited storage and did not meet the needs of a modern fire station. The engine bay was unable to accommodate Fire and Rescue NSW’s Class 3 Fire Truck,” the spokesman said.
The new station will house 20 firefighters and “meet the needs of a diversifying firefighting workforce” with locker rooms for female and male firefighters, distinct work and living areas, and equipment storage.
The Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said the site would also include a larger engine bay space and a modern station layout, including a circular driveway to assist in reducing response times.
“This new fire station will improve FRNSW’s ability to service the growing Liverpool area with a modern fire station which has the space to accommodate another fire truck and additional firefighters.’’
Ms Kaliyanda said the demolition of the station was delayed after “some necessary documentation wasn’t completed”.
“It then meant a new budget allocation was required in September and plans had to come back and go through approvals … which is why it’s now taking shape after unfortunate delays,” she said.
Ms Kaliyanda said the concrete slabs were expected to be laid by December and the new station was due to open by the next financial year.
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