VOLUNTEER firefighters at Duffys Forest will receive a brand new fire station thanks, in part, to a pre-election funding boost from incumbent MP Jason Falinski.
The $500,000 announcement was made on Tuesday, just four days before the federal election.
The Liberal MP says the funding has been allocated by the federal government, but not handed over, just yet.
When asked if the funds were dependent on Mr Falinski and/or the Coalition government being re-elected, he said "if we're re-elected it will definitely happen".
"If someone else is elected they would need to make that commitment," he said.
"Hypothetically, if Labor got re-elected they could say 'actually we're not going to transfer that money', even though it's a government commitment," he said before adding "but that would be really unusual".
The development application for the new $1.6 million station was approved by the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel in December 2020. Funds for the build are also being provided by council and the NSW Rural Fire Service.
The new single-storey station will include truck parking for up to four vehicles, cleaning area, utility room, bathrooms, kitchen, media room and entry area.
The slated upgrade will also include two new rainwater tanks, hose drying post, new external lighting, new open hardstand, driveway access, 10 vehicle parking spaces (including two accessible spots), on-site wastewater disposal system, an asset protection zone and stormwater trenching.
Tenders have been called for the build, and construction could commence as early as September. The station is due for completion in early 2023.
Mr Falinski said following consultation with the community, RFS and council, that he put in a funding request through the federal government's Community Development Grant program which has now allocated the $500,000.
The RFS station's rebuild had already been allocated $20,000 through the federal government's Stronger Communities Fund.
"These upgrades make our community not only resilient but safer. The best thing we can do to support our Rural Fire Service is to give them the infrastructure and resources they need," Mr Falinski said.
Meanwhile, four pre-polling venues in the northern beaches are open, with the federal election to take place Saturday, May 21.
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