New Gelorup facility to boost South-West firefighting capabilities

• More than $1.7 million provided to develop state-of-the-art headquarters for Gelorup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
• New facility to serve as control point for major incidents in region
• Headquarters funded by State Government in partnership with Shire of Capel
  

Emergency services and communities across the South-West will benefit from a major upgrade of the Gelorup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade (VBFB) headquarters.

The first sod was turned today to start construction of the $1.72 million renovations.

The original shed was built in 1991 for just $12,000 by the Shire of Capel.

Since then, the Gelorup VBFB has played a pivotal role in keeping the community safe - in the past two years alone its volunteers have responded to 54 incidents.

Acting Emergency Services Minister Sue Ellery today announced the McGowan Government would contribute $1.275 million via the Emergency Services Levy and the Local Government Grants Scheme to fund the new facility.

Another $445,000 in support has been provided by the Shire of Capel.

Construction of the new headquarters is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Comments attributed to Acting Emergency Services Minister Sue Ellery: 

"The new state-of-the-art headquarters will support the hard-working Gelorup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade in their endeavours to keep the community safe.

"The upgraded facility will provide crucial resources such as a communications room, personal protective equipment washing amenities, training and meeting areas and a kitchen and office.

"The McGowan Government is committed to keeping all Western Australians safe and the new Gelorup headquarters will not only boost firefighting capabilities in the area but across the South-West."

Comments attributed to Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns:

"Volunteer firefighters from Gelorup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade will greatly benefit from new modern facilities, which will include more training and office space.

"We are lucky to have such active brigade volunteers in Gelorup, with these members also running bushfire readiness forums aimed at educating locals and keeping the community safe. 

"These local heroes are extremely deserving of this support and I'm proud to be part of the McGowan Labor Government which is delivering for our local fire brigades." 

Emergency Services Minister's office - 6552 5800