• Two new contracts valued at $125 million awarded to manufacture new modern firefighting vehicles, built in WA
  • Ensuring WA has modern equipment to deal with bushfire threats
  • Successful bidder Frontline Fire & Rescue Equipment commits to manufacturing in Collie as part of new work
  • Manufacturing in Collie to now be part of a new tender valued at an estimated $47.5 million to build “1.4” firefighting appliances
  • McGowan Government committed to growing Collie’s economy and creating long-term jobs

The McGowan Labor Government is investing $125 million in modern firefighting appliances to combat the threat of bushfires across the State.

Two new contracts, valued at $75 million and $50 million, have been awarded to Malaga-based company Frontline Fire & Rescue Equipment to manufacture new “4.4” heavy appliances and ‘Ultralight’ vehicles.

The new heavy appliances will have a range of cab chassis options available to give volunteers more options.

As part of the new manufacturing contract, the McGowan Government will also provide a $2.5 million grant to Frontline to establish a manufacturing capability in Collie to carry out some of the manufacturing work.

The new workshop is expected to create 17 fulltime positions in Collie.

The grant has been delivered from the $60 million Collie Industry Attraction and Development Fund, which was established to help secure the future of Collie and to create ongoing jobs for locals.

Tenders will also be called today for a third emergency services vehicle contract worth an estimated $47.5 million to provide up to 300 new “1.4” firefighting appliances.

The McGowan Government has moved to ensure some of this work is also done in Collie with bids only being considered if they include all or a portion of the work going to the South‑West town.

This is part of the Government’s commitment to expand the emergency services vehicle manufacturing industry in Collie to provide greater diversity for the local economy into the future.

Other future State Government contracts will be reviewed prior to tender to determine if more work can also be sent to Collie.

The aim is to expand the emergency services vehicle industry in Collie as the town seeks to diversify its economy.

Collie is an ideal location for this sort of work, as it has a highly trained local workforce with experience in heavy industry.

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

“This is a significant investment that will ensure our volunteer firefighters are equipped with modern vehicles to combat bushfires across the State.

“I’m pleased that my Government has been able to provide an additional $2.5 million grant to ensure that more manufacturing work will take place in Collie, creating jobs for locals.

“We are committed to ensuring a strong economy and sustainable future for Collie, and we see emergency services vehicle manufacturing as an important part of that.”

Comments attributed to Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan:

“This new build program marks a significant shift in how new firefighting appliances will be manufactured for our volunteer firefighters.

“There has already been some great collaboration with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and volunteers in new appliance designs this year.

“This new 4.4 appliance contract significantly broadens the vehicle models and cab chassis that will be available so volunteer brigades will have more options.

“It’s also great to see the McGowan Government securing more work for Collie in emergency services.

“There has already been a significant investment in a new Level 3 Incident Control Centre for the town as well as moving some maintenance work of the firefighting fleet to Collie.

“Collie has the right people with the right skills who will now have more opportunities for employment that will not only benefit the town, but the whole of Western Australia.”

https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2019/12/$125-million-investment-in-new-WA-built-firefighting-appliances.aspx