A complex providing accommodation for a fire brigade, St John, health professionals and a community policing service, at a cost of about $300,000, is on the cards for Kingston.
Kingston Community Association chairman Peter Gibson said the emergency services building complex was the project of an association subcommittee aiming to develop facilities to meet the needs of the expanding area.
St John spokeswoman Paula McAuliffe said, to date, the St John Ambulance Service had operated from a Department of Conservation hut with "very basic" facilities, which had been a "difficult situation".
"The ambulance that is permanently based in Kingston has proved to be a valuable asset and enabled us to provide a professional service.
"It is the first such facility operating without a dedicated station and thanks must go to Doc, which allows us to house the ambulance in one of their buildings until we have our own base.
"The new building will allow the local personnel, ambulance and ongoing training to be housed under one roof.
Kingston Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Tony Wilson said he was enthusiastic about the plans, which would ease the "acute shortage" of space for vehicles and provide opportunities for enhanced volunteer training.
Sergeant Steve Hutt was also excited about the project.
"As from early 2009, we will have a regular community police presence in Kingston.
"It is important that we are seen to be there, working with the community and helping to ensure that it continues to be a safe and pleasant place to live.
"It's very desirable that we have a physical building space that we are identified with."
Emergency services building committee chairman Dr John Jones was confident the building would be "up and running" next year.
