New Kingscote depot brings environmental services together
Natural Resources Kangaroo Island (NRKI) has opened a new central depot for its environmental and firefighting equipment, bringing together services in fit-for-purpose surroundings.
The new Kingscote depot, which is a combination of new construction and refurbishing of existing structures between Addison and Campbell streets, was specifically developed to combine facilities in a central location to cut inefficiencies.
The former depot at Murrays Lagoon had become degraded and will now be removed from the site by the end of the financial year.
Damian Miley, Regional Director of NRKI, says that the new depot adds significantly to the operational capacity of the services provided.
“This is a significant financial investment in the way we operate, which will lead to greater operational efficiency in fit-for-purpose facilities,” he said.
“Our staff and local contractors involved in the construction of this first-rate facility can feel justifiably proud of their achievement.
“This purpose-built depot will house the Department for Environment and Water’s fire plant and equipment, which were previously housed in a makeshift yard where appliances were frequently left out in the elements and there was no hard surface to work on vehicles and organise equipment.
“Other operational equipment and facilities will also be housed in the central depot, making it a one-stop-shop for most of the services we provide.
“The addition of substantial solar panels on the new depot will also lead to increased savings for the facility and ensure that we lead by example in making our facilities more sustainable.”
The old site at Murray Lagoon, including the old asbestos-clad accommodation, sheds, concrete pads, office and toilet will be removed by the end of the financial year.
DEW will ensure that an investigation of the cultural history of Murray Lagoon will be undertaken, in discussion with locals, around future interpretative opportunities to acknowledge the European and Aboriginal heritage of the area.
The water tank adjacent to Seagers Road will be maintained for fire management purposes and the site will be rehabilitated, along with the undeveloped and underutilised camp ground, which frequently flooded.
