A station for the Gunnible Rural Fire Service (RFS) will become a reality.
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At yesterday's meeting, Gunnedah's councillors voted to allocate land near the airport to enable the RFS to build a station for the brigade.
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Brigade captain Ken Moore said they were "tickled pink" and "keen" for the RFS to get the station under way after 11 years of waiting.
"Now we've got the land sorted, it will all go forward from here," he said.
"Hopefully, it will be one of the priority sheds that's on the go."
Mr Moore said it was a "no-brainer" to build a station near the airport because "it's central". It will also enable the RFS to provide aerial aid down the track.
"I had a chat to some of the councillors prior to meeting and they all seemed to be on board with what the RFS wants to do over there with the fire station. I got fairly positive feedback from the councillors I spoke to," Mr Moore said.
"They're just sort of keen to get a fire station over there at the airport ... everything seems to be going forward."
The station will have facilities including a kitchenette and four bays for vehicles and equipment, which are currently stored on private properties.
Mr Moore said the station would provide a meeting place and help to drive up membership numbers.
"Once we get a shed, people will want to join. People are showing interest just because there's been talk of the shed going up," he said.
Background
The RFS and the council have been in talks about land for some years but attempts to acquire land within the airport grounds were unsuccessful, so in May they started looking at other options.
The newly proposed land is adjacent to the airport and would require the constriction of an access road off the airport entrance, installation of water tanks, connection to essential services, and a car park.