Tuncurry Rural Fire Service (RFS) will now be able to better accommodate its members after the brigade was presented with a $20,000 grant from the NSW Government today.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead was joined at the Tuncurry RFS station by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who thanked the brigade members for their efforts during the bushfire crisis that swept the Mid North Coast in 2019.
"I want to thank Steve Bromhead for asking me to be here today because it's an opportunity for me on behalf of the people of NSW to thank the Tuncurry RFS for what they did about a year ago," Ms Berejiklian said.
"About a year ago there was fire ravaging this community; they all stepped up and were the local heroes and it's very humbling for me to come back later and thank them for their efforts."
Mr Bromhead said the funding would be put towards installing vital drainage and expanding the parking space for brigade members.
"When the bushfires tore through our region destroying and damaging more than 150 homes and burning almost 24 per cent of the Mid Coast local government area last year, the Tuncurry RFS became a vital base for operations," Mr Bromhead said.
"It was home to vital communications informing firefighters on the ground as well as the catering service, which ensured our brave volunteers were kept fed.
"It was during these fires that it became increasingly apparent that more parking spaces were needed to support the brigade in functioning safely, with members forced to park unsafely on the side of the busy and narrow road.
"This funding will provide the solution, allowing the brigade to shift their stormwater drainage underground, creating more car park spaces.
"I'm proud to be supporting this project which will ensure the brigade is better equipped than ever before to act as a base for bushfire operations."
You may also like: Pacific Palms hammered by torrential downpour
Tuncurry RFS captain Stephen Surguy said the project had become a major priority for the station in the wake of last year's fire season.
"It has been long needed, although more so now with the increased number of members that we've got," Mr Surguy said.
"We've got to find room for these guys to park their cars safely and get access to the station, so it will be a great boost."
The project is expected to be completed by Christmas.
Thank you for valuing local journalism with your subscription. While you're with us, you can also receive updates straight to your inbox from the Great Lakes Advocate. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.
