Council’s draft management plan now on public exhibition also includes the purchase of two new fire trucks and a bulk water carrier to replace outdated vehicles.

An allocation of $110,000 has been made for the construction of a building for the newly merged brigade of Glennies Creek and Carrowbrook.

This will be combined with funds from previous budgets to enable a three bay station to be built for the brigade at Mount Olive to include a meeting room, kitchen, office and amenities.

The previous stations for the Glennies Creek and Carrowbrook brigades consisted of sheds that could only house the fire trucks and equipment.

The Glendonbrook brigade, which has never previously had a permanent home base, has been allocated $200,000 for the construction of a new two bay station.

Brigade vehicles are now stored in sheds on private properties.

According to manager of the Hunter Valley RFS, Superintendent Paul Jones, the new stations are a major positive for both brigades.

“It will give both brigades a central focus, and a place to have meetings and training sessions,” he said.

“The new station at Mount Olive is actually closer to where most of the brigade members live, which will make response times quicker.”

The brigades at Putty, Mirannie and Scotts Flat will also receive new appliances in the coming financial year.

The draft budget allocates a medium size truck to Mirannie Brigade to replace a 1985 model, a large truck to Putty to replace their current 1993 model, and Scotts Flat will receive a new bulk water tanker to replace their current 1981 model.

Singleton Council’s draft management plan is currently on exhibition at Singleton Council.

Comment from the public is encouraged.