The fight to save Weston Fire Station is not over, with Cessnock City Council voting to continue advocating to keep the station open and in community hands.
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The station has been earmarked for closure by Fire and Rescue NSW for a number of reasons including staffing numbers, ageing facilities and the proximity of Abermain and Kurri Kurri brigades.
Council voted at Wednesday night's meeting to write to the NSW Government to ask it to support the station remaining open, pending an investigation into the retained firefighter recruitment model.
Ward C councillor and lifelong Weston resident Anne Sander tabled the notice of motion, which received unanimous support.
Cr Sander said she would like to "explore every available opportunity" for the station to remain open, but if it is closed, that the building and infrastructure be transferred to council to be used as a community asset, with one option being to reopen the station as a Rural Fire Service facility.
A community meeting held by Fire and Rescue NSW on September 20 was told the Weston station was 'superfluous' to the community's needs, which are being met by the local network of fire stations, including Abermain and Kurri Kurri.
Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent said the community deserves the best fire and emergency services protection available, and for the Weston community this means keeping the local station open.
"Council is writing to the NSW Government to ask them to support the Weston Fire Station remaining open pending an investigation into suitable options to enhance the attractiveness of being a retained fire fighter," he said.
"We understand the issues being experienced in relation to recruiting retained fire fighters.
"There needs to be some consideration given to how we can encourage more community members to join local brigades."
Cr Ian Olsen said it was a shame that the State Government would consider closing down fire stations.
"I know it is difficult to get retained firefighters, but it is a community asset, it looks after our friends and neighbours," he said.
"I can't see how, in a growing community, they could look at closing fire stations down."
Also at Wednesday's meeting, Cr Olsen's notice of motion regarding the new jail access road lapsed due to lack of a seconder - but Cr Pynsent said it was because councillors are confident Cessnock MP Clayton Barr has taken the right steps to put their case forward.
