Oakford Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Station

Progress has continued at the site of the future Oakford Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Station, with several important markers reached over recent weeks.

Check out the below points for the latest update on the project.

Site bore completed

The completion of the site bore caps a successful outcome for the project in its ability to provide non-potable water supply to the future station.

Tender process

The February tender process has now concluded and the Shire has completed a panel assessment review of all applicants for the construction contract.

A variety of submissions was received during the procurement phase, providing a diverse range of contenders. Project staff have since shortlisted the preferred contractor, which will be presented to Council at its meeting on Monday, 18 March.

Tender for the design and construction contract of the volunteer station is expected to be awarded following successful endorsement by Council.

What’s next?

The Shire will announce the recipient of the contract for construction of the station once an official decision has been made by Council.

Stay tuned to www.yoursaysj.sjshire.wa.gov.au/oakfordstation or the Shire’s social media channels for further information in the coming weeks.

Planning for the new Oakford Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade Station project is continuing, in consultation with the Oakford Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade and the Serpentine Jarrahdale Emergency Support Brigade.

The project has passed multiple exciting milestones in recent weeks, with the following items completed:

• Finalisation of Concept Plan for station building layout, which incorporates features such as specialist training rooms, storage and bushfire exercise facilities. The Shire also engaged with officers from Switch Your Thinking to ensure the best energy and environmental outcomes could be achieved with the layout.
• Finalisation of Concept Plan for site layout, which provides strategic guidance in how to best utilise the site of the Station.

What’s happening now?

Shire Officers are currently undertaking the following activities:

• engaging consultants for ground water investigations
• preparing an application for power supply from Western Power
• finalising the project plan and program schedule for project delivery

A new Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade Station is set to be constructed in Oakford after getting the green light from the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale Council.

Council approved the development application for the emergency services facility to be located at Lot 800 Pony Place, Oakford at its meeting on Monday, 20 March 2023.

Approval of the application heralds a major milestone in what has been a long-term collaboration between the Shire, the Oakford Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, the Shire’s Emergency Support Brigade and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

Council endorsed the two-hectare portion of land on Pony Place as the location for the future station back in August 2020.

The Shire was then awarded a 10-year, self-supporting loan as part of the 2021 Local Government Grants Scheme to fund the delivery of the new station.

Shire President Cr Michelle Rich said the new volunteer station would be a huge boost for local firefighting services across Serpentine Jarrahdale.

“This new station will not only create a new home for the Oakford Brigade, but will also accommodate our Shire’s Emergency Support Brigade,” Cr Rich said.

“Both of these brigades and the volunteers behind them are vital to ensuring our Shire’s safety in the face of bushfire.

“It has been a long-standing goal of the Shire’s to deliver a permanent home for these brigades, so it’s wonderful to reach this significant milestone with the development application now approved.”

Oakford Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade Captain Mike Ross said Council’s approval of the application had secured the future of the brigade.

“This approval ensures our brigade will have a permanent home for a very long time,” Mr Ross said.

“It will be a launching pad for us to recruit new members and will also allow us to host other brigades and services when responding to larger emergencies in the area.

“We’re really pleased to see this going ahead and we can’t wait to get to work on design and get it all in motion.”

The Oakford Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade consists of approximately 30 members, attending an average of 100 call outs every fire season.

The new station will include 28 car parking bays and a designated training area.

It will accommodate activities such as specialised brigade training, vehicle and equipment maintenance and 24/7 emergency response.