The RFS facility will be located near the top left part of the above aerial photograph, on the southern side of Burley Griffin Way and to the right of the road leading up to the racecourse gates.

Tenders are now open for the construction of the new NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) South West Slopes Zone Fire Control Centre and Regional Office, to be built adjacent to Burley Griffin Way and next to the racecourse in Harden.

It is also expected that the remaining land on site not utilised by the NSW RFS will be sold as industrial lots after the RFS is established.

Harden Shire Council lodged an application to acquire Crown Land at the Harden Racecourse in 2014. After engaging in discussions with Minister for Natural Resources, Land and Water, Kevin Humphries, Harden Shire Council lodged a formal application as part of an effort to establish a business park on the land.

The D.A. was approved on May 22, however, Hilltops Council is yet to provide a media release regarding the approval which is significant due to its size, eventual cost and the other blocks of very attractive industrial land, which will no doubt ‘piggy back’ off the RFS facility infrastructure.

On July 3 this week NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) District Manager Andrew Dillon said that construction consent has been granted by Hilltops Council and the tender process has commenced under the NSW Government pre-qualified tender system.

“It is great to see the process underway and get one step closer to having this new facility for the local community and volunteer firefighters,” Mr Dillon said.

“Once operational, the new centre will enable improved coordination of fire and emergency services in the NSW RFS South West Slopes Zone, which takes in both the Hilltops and Cootamundra – Gundagai local government areas.

“The facility will feature state-of-the-art firefighting technology, training and meeting rooms, and will also feature a training area for volunteer firefighters to practice skills required for structure and house fires.

 

Mr Dillon said when it comes to fighting fires the best assets are the men and women who diligently and fearlessly answer the call to protect lives and property when the occasion arises.

“The facility will help local brigades provide an even higher level of emergency service to the community,” Mr Dillon said.

“The new control centre will have the technology to assist our firefighters on the ground and provide increased information to the local community.

The construction of the NSW RFS South West Slopes Zone Fire Control Centre will be funded by the NSW RFS, Hilltops and Cootamundra – Gundagai Councils and project managed by the Public Works Advisory.

Local contractors will have the opportunity to meet with State Government pre-approved tenderers at 3pm on Thursday 12 July 2018 at the Harden Fire Control Centre, to find out more about potential local involvement in the project.

The placement of the RFS Centre was a point of contention in 2014 after reports on the costings of sites at both Young and Harden differed greatly.

The land is a natural extension of the existing water and sewer services located on Harden’s eastern boundary.

The new Fire Control Centre, which replaces the existing facility in Harden, will be built on a site adjoining the race track. It will provide a centrally located, state-of-the-art facility for the management and control of fires across the region.

The Harden Racecourse Users Group applied to the State Governments’ Stronger Country Communities Fund in April, with the project prioritised at position number 2 from over 30 projects.

The Kite Festival, Harden Racecourse Committee, Harden Polocrosse and Harden Rodeo Clubs are awaiting an announcement due in August in regards to a facility worth over $800,000.

It is anticipated that the new RFS facility will be operational by October 2019.
For further information please contact the Harden Fire Control Centre on 6386 3170.