SIMON Corbell has opened the new Belconnen Ambulance and Fire & Rescue station in Aranda.

“The state-of-the-art $20.85 million facility replaces two separate stations currently located in the Belconnen town centre,” Simon said.

“The new station will allow the ACT Ambulance Service and ACT Fire & Rescue to more effectively respond to emergency incidents across Belconnen.

“The opening of the new station completes Phase 1 of the ACT Emergency Services Agency’s (ESA) Station Upgrade and Relocation Program.

“The program is designed to improve community safety and ensure that response times are minimised by strategically locating such facilities on or very close to main arterial roads.

“We live in a growing city and the new Belconnen Ambulance and Fire & Rescue Station provides the right support to our community and ambulance officers and firefighters.

“The station’s design was informed by our frontline staff and draws on experience from interstate jurisdictions.”

The Belconnen Ambulance and Fire & Rescue Station features many design initiatives to make it more environmentally sustainable including:

• Hydronic in-slab heating and cooling;
• Rainwater tanks;
• Solar electricity and hot water; and
• A community meeting room that can be booked and used by groups free of charge.

“The Government has also built a new 60 space car park adjacent to the station, replacing the old car park removed as part of construction of the new station.

“I congratulate the ESA, head contractor ADCO Construction and all of those who contributed to building this wonderful facility that will serve the Belconnen area for many years to come,” Mr Corbell said.

The ESA will also welcome the public into the new station this weekend so they can view the facility first hand.

“The Community Open Day will run from 10am to 2pm tomorrow and I encourage the community to check out this great new facility before it becomes operational on Monday 5 September 2016,” Mr Corbell said.

To find out more visit esa.act.gov.au