Question - Rural fire services

1. Has a date been set for when the Gungahlin Rural Fire Service (RFS) will be moved out of the Joint Emergency Services Centre.
2. Has a decision been made on where they are being moved to and can the Minister provide an update on where the new location is.
3. Have the Gungahlin RFS been informed of the move.
4. Will the Gungahlin State Emergency Services (SES) be moving (a) at the same time and (b) to the same location.
5. How much money has been allocated on (a) moving the Gungahlin RFS and (b) refurbishment of the building.

(1) It is expected that this will be completed mid-2024.

(2) Gungahlin RFS will be relocating to Building 3, 9 Sandford Street Mitchell. 

(3) Gungahlin RFS members are represented in the Mitchell working group which has been consulted on site selection and user requirements, and have provided input into the design process. The ESA Commissioner, ACTRFS Chief Officer and the Capital Works and Infrastructure Project Team have consulted the Gungahlin unit at a training night, site walk through and online forum in late 2022. 

(4) Both Gungahlin volunteer services will move together from the Joint Emergency Services Centre (JESC) to the new Mitchell location. 

(5) In the 2021-22 Budget the ACT Government invested more than $8.2 million to improve accommodation for our police and emergency services in Gungahlin. $5.368m of that has been set aside for the new RFS and SES site in Mitchell. A separate $0.407m has been set aside for works relating to the hydraulic services upgrades at Mitchell.