No. 43

EMERGENCY SERVICES MOVE TO FAIRBAIRN ON TRACK

Emergency Services’ relocation to Fairbairn is on track with $12.801 million funding allocated in 2006‑07, Minister For Police and Emergency Services Simon Corbell has announced today.

The Stanhope Government initially announced the Emergency Services move last December.

“This move follows two McLeod Inquiry recommendations from the January 2003 bushfires to establish a Specialist Outdoor Training Facility and substantially upgrade the current Curtin facility or relocate to a more suitable establishment,” Mr Corbell said.

“The Specialist Outdoor Training Centre will be a first for the ACT and give our emergency services personnel the sort of facility that will enable them to maintain and build on their high level of skills and professionalism for the ACT community.

“The Fairbairn plan will see key components of the Emergency Services organisation, currently spread across the ACT, located together in the one place.”
 
The plan involves using existing buildings as well as constructing a new building, which will house the Communications Centre, Emergency Coordination Centre and Emergency Information Centre.

Some of the surrounding buildings will be home to the Simulation Training Centre, Risk Management, Media and Community Information, Workshops, and Resource Centre.

The Air Support Operations Centre (ASOC) has already been established and successfully used for the 2005-06 Bushfire Season. The ASOC is also home to the ACT Rural Fire Service.

“The location at the Fairbairn Precinct provides a cost effective approach for the Government and the ACT community and presents significant operational advantages in the capacity of the Emergency Services to manage the full range of emergency incidents,” Mr Corbell said.
 
“Emergency Services employees and functions will continue to relocate to Fairbairn in the coming months.

“The full move is expected to be completed in about mid-2007.”