First sod turned at new O’Connell Fire Station site

Member for Bathurst Paul Toole MP and NSW RFS Senior Assistant Commissioner Bruce McDonald AFSM were on hand as construction begins for the new $762 thousand station that will provide the O’Connell Rural Fire Brigade with a new station for their vehicles, equipment and meeting requirements.

Mr Toole said the brand new, first class facility will provide a tremendous boost to the O’Connell Brigade members, as well as the local community.

“It will replace the current station located on Box Flat Road, where the site was limited in regards to the ability to provide extensions,” Mr Toole said.

Senior Assistant Commissioner McDonald said NSW RFS volunteers are committed to helping their communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week and this new station will assist them to carry out that important work.

“The new O’Connell station will feature purpose-built bays for vehicles, meeting room, office, a lockable hose drying rack, furniture for meetings, roof collection water tank for firefighting purposes, kitchen and bathroom amenities,” Senior Assistant Commissioner McDonald said.

“Construction of the new station on the corner of O’Connell Road and Mutton Falls Road, O’Connell, is due for completion by November 2017.

“The O’Connell Brigade has protected the local community from fire since it was officially formed in 1930’s.

“Today, members of this Brigade continue to protect their community from grass fires as well as a diverse array of incidents including motor vehicle accidents.

“The O’Connell Brigade is extremely active within the local community.

“In addition to responding to local incidents and attending fires further afield, they regularly undertake community engagement and are involved in running the Cadet program at a number of local schools.”

“These men and women remain on-hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week and we should be extremely proud and grateful for their contribution."