NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was expected to join Rural Fire Service volunteers at the station, which has been operational for a number of weeks, on Saturday morning for the opening celebrations.

Brigade captain Dean Nunn previously told the Examiner that all 22 members of the brigade have been been looking forward to the opening of the new station.

“The new one will have a lot more room to get dressed and will generally be easier to move around in,” Mr Nunn said.

The new station, funded by the NSW Government, has been built on land owned by Port Stephens Council at Boulder Bay Road, adjacent to the existing shed that could barely squeeze in the brigade’s two trucks.

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Cameron Donaldson, the council’s emergency management coordinator, said the new fire station is a great boost for the community of Fingal Bay. 

“The Rural Fire Service plays a key role in keeping our community safe – whether it’s fighting bushfires, responding to emergency incidents, or supporting the community during times of disaster,” Mr Donaldson said.

“The Rural Fire Service volunteers give so much to our community, so it’s nice to assist them with upgraded facilities.

“This brand new $700,000 fire station features modern facilities including office and meeting space, a new kitchen, storage rooms as well as male and female bathrooms.

“Overall this is a vast improvement on the modest facilities that Fingal Bay had previously.

“This new station, which has been operational for a little while now, has certainly made the volunteers’ jobs easier and will assist them to serve our community to the best of their ability.”

Ms Berejiklian was to attend the fire station opening after the Liberal Party State Council General Meeting at Wests Nelson Bay Diggers on Saturday morning and before a business leaders lunch at the Greenhouse Eatery in Medowie, hosted by the council.