Erskine Park will be the home of a new state-of-the-art firefighter training facility.
Final negotiations are underway to build the Fire & Rescue NSW Academy on a six-hectare site on Mamre Road at Erskine Park, to be finished by the end of 2017.
It will replace existing Fire & Rescue NSW training college at Alexandria, which is more than 40 years old and about one-third the size of the new site.
NSW Minister for Emergency Services, David Elliott said the new facility will feature purpose-built training props to simulate fire, rescue, hazardous-materials and other emergencies. It will also allow for training activities not possible at Alexandria, including live burns.
About 150 permanent roles will relocate to the academy, and there will be up to 350 people at the campus on any given day, including recruits and course attendees.
“The Fire & Rescue NSW Academy will be a world-class training facility, ensuring the best possible preparation for our firefighters in their brave work protecting lives and property,” Mr Elliott said.
“It also aligns with the Government’s commitment to relocate public-service jobs and boost the economy of Sydney’s west.”
Commissioner Greg Mullins said the FRNSW Academy will enhance the already top-notch training provided to serving and recruit firefighters.
“While the Alexandria training college has served us well, we have outgrown that site and now look forward to all the benefits this new, larger facility will offer our firefighters,” he said.
“Some of the planning and development details are still being worked on, but we are confident the academy will be ready by the end of next year.”
The principal investor is First State Super, which owns the land and will fund the development of the facility by Altis Property Partners. FRNSW will have exclusive access to the facility under a leaseback arrangement for up to 25 years.
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
