HARDEN and Young remain in contention as the site for a new multi million dollar NSW Rural Fire Service Fire Control Centre for the South West Slopes District.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The existing fire control centre is based in Harden and the Harden Shire Council has been arguing strongly for the new centre to be built in Harden as well.
A statement for the NSW RFS this week said that both towns were being considered as possible sites.
NSW RFS Region West Manager Paul Smith said the new Fire Control Centre would assist in the effective management of fires and other emergencies right across the region.
"While a final location of the new Fire Control Centre has not yet been decided, the construction of this new facility will be a tremendous boost for volunteers, as well as the local community," Mr Smith said.
"Both Harden and Young Councils have been given the opportunity to put forward potential sites for development.
"At this stage, both Young and Harden are considered viable locations but the final decision will be based on the suitability of individual construction sites."
Mr Smith said the location would be decided by a site evaluation panel with representatives from Boorowa, Harden, Young and Cootamundra Councils, along with a representative from NSW RFS Headquarters in Sydney.
"The evaluation will be based on a number of factors including physical attributes, location factors, utilities, environmental issues and regulatory requirements," he said.
The site evaluation panel will work to assess each site for suitability over the next three months and provide the Working Group with information to allow a decision to be made.
The Harden Shire has previously argued that the new centre should be built in front of the Harden racecourse due to its easy road access, level ground and access to the Harden airstrip.
Working Group Chair and senior NSW RFS volunteer Chris Manchester said the project would allow the 2153 volunteers among the 50 brigades in the area access to the latest technology and equipment.