Construction of the long-awaited Bedfordale Fire Station will soon begin after the City of Armadale council unanimously agreed to cover the project’s $248,000 funding shortfall.
As reported by Examiner Newspapers last week, the project had been left in limbo after the state’s Department of Fire and Emergency Service rejected the city’s funding application. The council has now approved the transfer of $248,000 from the city’s Freehold State Capital Works Reserve Fund to enable the project to be completed – a fund containing the proceeds of the city’s sold freehold land parcels.
It is understood the Capital Grants Committee had identified higher priorities across the state. The tender for the design and construction of the new fire station was awarded earlier this year, with the second portion of the contract dependant on the city securing grant funding.
The station is expected to be operational by early 2021, with the modern new station design to better facilitate the brigade’s growing membership base. City of Armadale mayor Ruth Butterfield admitted the city was disappointed its request for additional funding from department.
“It’s so important to ensure the new station is built and as such council will be funding the short fall of funds to help our volunteer brigades protect lives and homes throughout the city,” she said.
“The location of the new station is ideal, given its proximity to the Bedfordale Hall and already existing services, in addition it will provide safer and greater vehicle access.”
