Construction begins on SA's new emergency services HQ
South Australia’s new $80 million purpose-built emergency services headquarters has officially commenced construction this week.
Once operational, the modern and flexible facility — located at World Park Precinct in Keswick — will aim to improve the state’s emergency response capabilities.
The fit-out has been made possible thanks to a $14 million investment from the Marshall Liberal government. It will subsequently lease the development from Axiom Properties Limited for an initial period of 15 years.
Premier Steven Marshall said the investment would give the state’s dedicated emergency services staff and volunteers the facilities and equipment they need to perform their jobs.
“We saw during last summer’s devastating bushfires just how vital our emergency services are to South Australia,” the Premier said.
“This new State Control Centre not only strengthens our state’s response to crisis situations, but it gives our emergency services the safe and secure base they deserve.”
Minister for Emergency Services Corey Wingard said the facility would also allow for better collaboration, streamlining inter-agency communication.
“The CFS State Operations Support Brigade and SES State Operations Support Unit will both be located in the new building along with staff from the MFS and SAFECOM,” Minister Wingard said.
“Our recent Independent Review into the 2019/20 bushfire season talked about the need for enhanced communication and IT sharing between our emergency services and this new headquarters will go a long way to achieving that.
“Our frontline response teams have been working extremely hard these past few months to assist with the state’s response to COVID-19, and while this building won’t be ready in time for this emergency situation it will position us well into the future.”
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the project has adhered to schedule throughout.
Developers Axiom Properties Limited, Pike Constructions and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure are expected to deliver the project before next year’s bushfire season.
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