ALBURY'S SES and Volunteer Rescue Association are prepared to join the NSW Rural Fire Service at the city's airport emergency services hub.
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Both organisations have responded positively to overtures from the Albury Council which is the landlord for the centre which opened in 2007 and is now solely occupied by the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Under a stage two expansion, the site would be expanded with a training theatrette, larger kitchen, toilet and conference areas and more car parking and storage sheds for equipment.
The $5 million cost has been met through income from a special rate variation.
The council's engineering chief Brad Ferris recently told councillors at a briefing that in addition to the SES and VRA there was hope the RFS may also move its regional command centre, that was set-up in an industrial area north of the airport, to the emergency centre.
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However, he said state funding may be needed to support such a move.
Albury VRA captain Paul Marshall said his organisation, which has been based at rooms in Kiewa Street in South Albury since March 1970 would benefit from better accommodation.
"With our squad rooms at the moment we've got some leaks in the roof and it's a 50 year-old building and toilets need refreshing but we've put those things on hold because we're keen to move out there," he said.
"Trucks have gotten bigger and equipment has got bigger and with boats we're looking for more space."
Mr Marshall said move also made sense as it was closer to growth areas and would mean fewer traffic lights to negotiate to access the Hume Highway.
Wagga-based SES southern zone business service support manager Ben Pickup also welcomed the prospect of moving the Albury unit from its home since 1994 in Hoffman Road.
"We work hand-hand with our partner agencies to it's good to be co-located with them because we all support each other in disasters and emergencies," he said.
Mr Ferris said a scoping study involving the VRA and SES was about to begin to determine their needs in the context of the site before undertaking detailed designs later this year.
"All going well we could invite tenders early next year and then build it in the (20)22-23 period," Mr Ferris said.
Under state law, Albury Council is required to provide housing for the VRA and SES and cannot charge them rent.
Mr Ferris said the council had also had preliminary discussions with the Victorian environment department about providing accommodation for officers involved in aerial firefighting efforts based at the airport.
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