❓ A WA parliamentary question scrutinises the cost, planning, and execution of the new Northampton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service station opening, including invitation protocols and environmental controls. The response provides a detailed breakdown of costs and justifications.
AnsweredQoN 1230Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to your media statement of 6 February 2023 entitled 'Mid-West builders deliver much-needed upgrade for Northampton volunteers', and I ask: (a) noting the statement claims the cost of the new building was $3.93 million, please break down the cost by: (i) Construction; (ii) land Acquisition; and (iii) other expenses (please detail); (b) is the cost of the building comparable to the costs of other similar two-bay fire stations that have recently been constucted; (c) if no to (b), please identify contributing factors to the high cost of construction in this instance; (d) on what date and by whom was it determined that the official opening of the building would occur on 6 February 2023; (e) what was the cost associated with the official opening event and who met the cost; (f) who was responsible for the events organisation and for preparing the invitation list to the event; (g) please table the invitation list and run sheet for the event; (h) why did the government not extend an invitation to non-Labor Members of Parliament who respresent the Northampton community as is the usual courtesy for offical events such as this; (i) what is the planned use for the former Northampton Volunteer, Fire and Rescue Service station; and (j) what capability or controls have been built into the new station with regard to managing cancer causing diesel emissions in the engine room?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 March 2023
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
6 days
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advises:
(a)(i) The construction was awarded for $2,980,710,00 (GST exclusive).
(ii) The $3.93 million does not include the purchase of the land. The building was constructed on two sites that were amalgamated. One lot was under Management Order to DFES and the other freehold which was purchased for $60,000.
(iii) Construction contingency - $298,000
Building permit fee and levy - $17,000
Public Art - $29,000
Professional/Consultant fees - $320,000
Department of Finance Project Management Fee - $180,000
Client Agency Direct costs (internal fit out) - $106,000
(b) No.
(c) The increase in costs is directly related to inflation rise in building materials and labor.
(d) On 23 January 2023, the Minister and Commissioner discussed the opening of the facility and proceeded with the event on 6 February 2023 to coincide with the Minister’s scheduled visit to the region and after the harvest season, as requested by the local volunteers.
(e) $ 1074.50 DFES.
(f) DFES.
(g) See tabled paper no. #
(h) The official opening was attended by the Minister. No other Members of Parliament, government, or nongovernment attended the opening.
(i) The former Northampton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service station is located on Local Government freehold land which was under Management Order to DFES. The site will be returned to the Local Government.
(j) The station includes ridge vent extraction system in the appliance bay and air-lock doors preventing any off-gassing into the station.
(a)(i) The construction was awarded for $2,980,710,00 (GST exclusive).
(ii) The $3.93 million does not include the purchase of the land. The building was constructed on two sites that were amalgamated. One lot was under Management Order to DFES and the other freehold which was purchased for $60,000.
(iii) Construction contingency - $298,000
Building permit fee and levy - $17,000
Public Art - $29,000
Professional/Consultant fees - $320,000
Department of Finance Project Management Fee - $180,000
Client Agency Direct costs (internal fit out) - $106,000
(b) No.
(c) The increase in costs is directly related to inflation rise in building materials and labor.
(d) On 23 January 2023, the Minister and Commissioner discussed the opening of the facility and proceeded with the event on 6 February 2023 to coincide with the Minister’s scheduled visit to the region and after the harvest season, as requested by the local volunteers.
(e) $ 1074.50 DFES.
(f) DFES.
(g) See tabled paper no. #
(h) The official opening was attended by the Minister. No other Members of Parliament, government, or nongovernment attended the opening.
(i) The former Northampton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service station is located on Local Government freehold land which was under Management Order to DFES. The site will be returned to the Local Government.
(j) The station includes ridge vent extraction system in the appliance bay and air-lock doors preventing any off-gassing into the station.
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