Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan joined Member for Oxley Michael Kemp, Nambucca Valley Deputy Mayor John Wilson, Area Commander Chief Superintendent Kam Baker AFSM and District Manager Superintendent Liz Ferris AFSM to celebrate the official sod turning of the $1.34 million Newee Creek Rural Fire Service (RFS) station upgrade this week.

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The initial $847,520 of funding for the Newee Creek Station and Community Area was announced in 2022 by Mr Conaghan as part of the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program.

“The Black Summer Bushfires decimated our beautiful region and put sharp focus on the needs of our community and emergency services to better prepare for future events.

“The Newee Creek Station was flagged as a critical resource under the program and awarded funds for the building upgrade and extension, including construction of three new vehicle bays, a designated training room for volunteer firefighters, accessible toilet and shower facilities and kitchen upgrade,” Mr Conaghan said.

“Importantly, the Newee Creek project will deliver uninterrupted power supply to the station as well as connection to the town water supply, providing a safe meeting place for volunteers and the greater community.”

As a result of COVID delays and increasing building costs, an additional $499,263 was secured by the RFS to ensure the Newee station upgrades came to fruition in full and as originally planned.

The Valla Station also received $913,000 of funding for crucial upgrades expected to be completed at the end of June.

The works include the addition of a new bay to house the new Cat 1 Tanker that was unable to be accommodated in the existing shed and is being located off-site at a member’s property.

As a member of the RFS himself, Member for Oxley Michael Kemp said he has a first-hand understanding of the positive impact that these facilities will have.

“In a bushfire situation, seconds and minutes count,” he said,

“To know that our local volunteers will be able to access efficient, reliable and ultimately safer facilities is a welcome relief.

“It’s imperative that our infrastructure is fit-for-purpose to keep our volunteers and the communities they serve as protected from danger as possible.”

Superintendent Liz Ferris said that the new facilities were a fitting way to thank the passionate volunteers that had selflessly protected the community in recent years.

“The RFS volunteers literally put themselves in the line of fire on behalf of their communities to protect lives and livelihoods, so for their critical facilities to receive these upgrades is the perfect way to recognise and thank them.

“I’m extremely pleased to see these works commence and can’t wait to see them completed soon.

“Our local brigades certainly deserve them.”