Interim Bushfire Centre of Excellence opens in Pinjarra

The State’s Bushfire Centre of Excellence has officially opened in the Shire of Murray.

With designs for the permanent facility in Nambeelup still in the works, centre staff have set up an interim facility at the Heritage Train Station building in Pinjarra.

Representatives from the Murray and Peel business sectors, state and volunteer emergency services as well as other state and local government agencies, joined staff at the interim facility on Monday to celebrate the milestone.

Shire of Murray President Cr. David Bolt said the networking event reinforced a stronger sense of belonging in the community by fostering and strengthening relationships with community representatives and identifying opportunities for support and collaboration.

“As a centre of excellence, the facility is an important enabler for building a knowledge economy for Murray, the Peel region and state and ensuring a sustainable future," Cr. Bolt said.

“Construction and operation will stimulate Murray’s economy through expenditure and job creation and representatives from around the State will travel to the district to participate in Centre training programs, which will result in increased spending on goods and services including short-stay accommodation and food and beverage.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Bushfire Centre of Excellence Chief Superintendent John Tillman said he was pleased to see the team come together in the interim facility.

“It’s great to be operating close to where the final Centre of Excellence facility will take shape in the Peel Business Park," Chief Superintendent Tillman said.

“In doing so we’re strengthening our local partnerships and supporting state-wide training and engagement opportunities from the region well ahead of final Bushfire Centre of Excellence building completion."

The Bushfire Centre of Excellence facility in Peel Business Park is scheduled to open in December 2020.

Image 1 Caption: Outside the interim Bushfire Centre of Excellence facility in Pinjarra, Shire of Murray -  (L-R) Back: Mr. Murray Carter Executive Director Rural Fire Division Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Minister for Emergency Services Hon. Francis Logan MLA, Shire of Murray President Cr. David Bolt, Member for Murray-Wellington Mrs. Robyn Clarke MLA, Hon. Premier Mark McGowan MLA, Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Mr. Darren Klemm AFSM, Mr. John Tillman AFSM Chief Superintendent Bushfire Centre of Excellence Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Front: Elder Harry Nannup

At the interim Bushfire Centre of Excellence facility now operational in Pinjarra, Shire of Murray: (L-R) Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Mr. Darren Klemm AFSM, Minister for Emergency Services Hon. Francis Logan MLA, Shire of Murray Chief Bushfire Control Officer Mr. Robert Wilson, Secretary of the North Dandalup Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Ms. Lorraine Webster, Shire of Murray and Waroona Chief Executive Officer Mr. Dean Unsworth and Shire of Murray President Cr. David Bolt. PIC: Josh Cowling Photography