Shire of Plantagenet council backs Albany Highway site for new emergency services precinct

Mt Barker’s emergency services could be united in a central precinct after Shire of Plantagenet council backed a request to manage part of the future site of a new State Emergency Services facility.

Shire of Plantagenet councillors voted unanimously at last month’s council meeting to manage a portion of a reserve alongside Albany Highway for an “emergency services precinct” set to accommodate a new Mt Barker SES facility.

Councillors also backed plans to push for the future relocation of the Mt Barker Police Station and Mt Barker Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service to the precinct.

Under the plans, the Mt Barker SES base on Ormond Road would be “immediately relocated” to the site.

A council officer’s report said the current facility used by SES volunteers needed upgrades to become “fit for purpose and to be deemed safe”.

“There is asbestos present within the house and the window and door frames are failing, allowing water and vermin to enter the building,” the report said.

“The Mt Barker SES unit manager has approached DFES seeking support for the upgrades to the facilities on a number of occasions but has been advised that due to the condition of facilities and potential site contamination, DFES was not prepared to invest in the site.”