First sod turned at new $8.24m North Western Area Command Centre

State Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson MP and NSW RFS Chief Supt Jayson McKellar, Director Area Operations, had hand on shovel as construction begins for the new $8.24 million building and precinct in Tamworth.

Mr Anderson said the new facility will provide state of the art facilities to enhance support to District staff and volunteers during incidents and day-to-day needs.

“This brand new, first class building will provide a tremendous boost to the Tamworth District members in the North Western Area, one of seven NSW RFS areas across the state, as well as the local community. Facilities include an operations room, office space for Tamworth District and North Western Area Command, toilet/shower facilities, meeting rooms, storage areas for tankers and equipment, and training facilities.”

Chief Supt McKellar said NSW RFS members are committed to helping their communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week and this new facility, together with the support staff give, will assist them to carry out that important work that the community is proud of and grateful for.

“The construction of the new North Western Area Command HQ will enhance our ability to support communities in the Tamworth District and beyond,” he said. “Area North Western covers five Districts, 13 Local Government Areas and 144,500 square kilometres of land.

“In addition to NSW RFS Area operations, this new site will also house and support the Tamworth Fire Control Centre and Fire Mitigation Crews. Construction of the new facility on Country Road, Tamworth, is due for completion by mid-2022.

Chief Supt McKellar said the Service, working together with state and local governments like Tamworth Regional Council, is committed to providing volunteer firefighters with the facilities and equipment they need to carry out their roles safely and effectively.

“Members of the 310 brigades in the North Western Area continue to protect their communities from grass, bush and crop fires as well as a diverse array of incidents like motor vehicle accidents and support to other agencies,” Chief Supt McKellar said.

“In addition to responding to incidents and attending fires further afield, brigades regularly undertake community engagement within the local community and facilities such as this continue to enhance this capacity from a central point in the Tamworth District.”