Lake Conjola Fire Station Upgrade Unveiled
A major upgrade to Lake Conjola Fire Station has been completed five years after the Shoalhaven region was hit by the devastating Currowan bushfire.
The $1.56 million improvement works were jointly funded under the Australian and NSW government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Fund.
The improvement works included an extension of the station, three new truck bays, a multi-purpose room, office, and kitchen amongst other new amenities.
Over $20 million in BLER funding has been allocated to Shoalhaven City Council to help respond to the impact of the Currowan bushfire and prepare the region for future natural disasters.
The response includes the construction of a $3.48 million purpose-built fire station at Manyana which will replace the ageing shed currently located at Cunjarong Point.
Manyana Fire Station is due to be completed in the second half of the year.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the upgrade would strengthen the region’s emergency response capability, ensuring the community was better prepared for future disasters.
“Providing NSW Rural Fire Service members at Lake Conjola with modern firefighting facilities will help them prepare for and respond to bushfires and other emergencies,” Mr Dib said.
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said she was proud to be delivering projects like the new fire station, to help protect the Lake Conjola community from future natural disasters.
“I know how important the RFS is in this community, which is why I lobbied for additional funds to ensure a more extensive renovation could be completed,” Ms Phillips said.
“The station is unrecognisable and provides a space where locals can gather and where RFS members can meet and train their new recruits,” she said.
“I congratulate everyone involved and encourage new residents of Lake Conjola and Conjola Park to consider putting their hand up to volunteer.”
Mayor Patricia White thanked the Australian and NSW governments for co-funding the critical infrastructure project and helping local communities to recover and rebuild.
“Conjola and surrounding areas were hit hard by the fires and this upgrade means locals are now equipped for training and better able to respond to emergencies,” Cr White said.
“The impact of the Black Summer Bushfires will always be felt by our community but preparing our villages for future natural disasters does provide us with a greater sense of security,” she said.
“This fire station is a much-needed community facility but it’s our local Rural Fire Service that truly bring it to life. Hats off to our local volunteers for their support while the station has been upgraded.”
RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner, Kelly Quandt AFSM, said members of the Shoalhaven District played an integral part in the firefighting response during the 2019-20 fire season and rose to the challenge.
“These upgrades are a great investment for the brigade and its members, and the communities they have and continue to protect,” Ms Quandt said.
Pictured above: Patricia White, Liza Butler, Fiona Phillips, Kelly Quandt and Clive Turner, Conjola Rural Fire Brigade Captain.
https://www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/News-and-feedback/News-and-media/News/Lake-Conjola-Fire-Station-upgrade-unveiled