BY IAN CROUCH
Wallsend Mp, Sonia Hornery is calling for the former Wallsend Fire Station to be given to the local Men’s shed so it can be restored and re-purposed as a hub for the group.
Firefighters moved out of the 1921 building on the corner of Devon and Nelson Streets into brand new facilities on Summerhill Road last month.
The building is earmarked to be sold off and demolished because it contains asbestos and has a leaky roof.
Some residents want the building converted into a police station for the suburb, but Sonia Hornery says any new police station should be a modern state-of-the art facility.
She’s written to Emergency Services Minister, Troy Grant asking him to consider allowing the Blue Gum Hills Men’s Shed to move into the building and save it from demolition.
“I welcome community input, we should be asking the community what would be the best use of the sight, it’s certainly in a beautiful, ample, prime place.
“One of the reasons the fire station was closed was that it wasn’t suitable to be a fire station in the 21st century and unfortunately nor would it be suitable for a police station.
“It is an old dwelling, it requires a lot of work and a lot of love and it’s a beautiful building which we want to see remain but used by the appropriate people.
“It’s a matter of the state government ensuring the sight is available in community hands, selling off the station is not an option.”
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The Former Wallsend Fire Station Picture: therherald.com.au |