$7.1 million investment in Lower South West emergency services

• Significant investment in facilities and appliances for regional volunteers
• State-of-the-art fire station will help crews protect local communities
• New appliances to boost capability ahead of bushfire season
• Demonstrates Cook Government's commitment to ensuring Western Australians have access to the services they need no matter where they live

The Cook Government has enhanced emergency response in the Lower South West with a new $4.8 million Margaret River Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) station and five new appliances for volunteers.

The new station is more than three times the land size of the brigade's previous headquarters, which opened in 1950, with a modern layout to accommodate the latest safety equipment and appliances.

The state-of-the-art facility features male and female changing rooms, post-incident hygiene showers, a large training room, office space, a kitchen and four appliance bays. The site also has a road crash rescue pad.

The station is located adjacent to the local State Emergency Service (SES) base, which will enable integration of services and shared training opportunities.

It was built by Byte Construct, a local company which has extensive experience in the region.

A volunteer pump valued at $819,000 delivered to the station ahead of bushfire season is one of the first of its type in the State, designed specifically for regional areas. It has rescue equipment on board as well as a water tank suitable for tackling large fires, particularly where a hydrant source is not available.

Other appliances delivered to the region ahead of peak bushfire and tourism season include a HAZMAT structural rescue urban pump for Augusta VFRS worth $700,000 and a light tanker for Cowaramup Volunteer Fire Brigade worth $320,000.

Manjimup State Emergency Service (SES) were officially handed the keys to a new general rescue truck worth $420,000 and Bridgetown SES took delivery of a $130,000 bus, which will help transport personnel to incidents and training.

Comments attributed to Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia:

"This $7.1 million investment is part of our commitment to giving WA's emergency services the world-class tools they need to keep Lower South West communities and visitors safe.

"Regional communities rely on their volunteers, who are often the first to step up when an incident happens.

"The state-of-the-art Margaret River VFRS fire station and five new appliances will bolster their frontline response now and long into the future.

"The Cook Government is proud to see this project delivered by a local builder, supporting jobs and expertise here in WA."