The brand new $4.3 million state of the art Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Fire Control Centre was recently opened in Cowan, located 40 kilometres north of Sydney’s CBD. The construction of the centre involved a close partnership between the
New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council and Hornsby Shire Council.
It will provide a base for volunteers to tackle large scale emergencies and will enhance the coordination of firefighting services in the Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai districts.
New South Wales Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan said the new station will provide support for firefighters, as well as extra space.
“This centre is a significant boost for volunteers in the Hornsby/Ku-ring-gai area, who will benefit from the advanced training and operational facilities incorporated in this outstanding design,” he said. “All the relevant agencies involved in these operations – the fire services, councils and community services – will benefit from the necessary space, facilities and technology to make their job as efficient, streamlined and coordinated as possible. It also will improve local firefighters’ ability to carry out routine bushfire mitigation work, such as hazard reduction during cooler months between bushfire seasons, and training activities.”
The centre uses modern energy efficient technology, which will save approximately 33 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
“We’re thrilled to have been so closely involved in the development of the Fire Control Centre,” said Hornsby Mayor, Nick Berman. “The wind turbine and photovoltaic system are a tangible expression of Council’s commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to combat the challenge of climate change.”
The wind turbine and solar photovoltatic system will provide around 30 per cent of the centre’s electricity.
