*This information is an extract from the colour-book produced by the Museum of Fire's Heritage Team to celebrate the opening of the brand new Busby Fire Station. Should you wish to use any of the information and pictures provided we ask that you please reference the Museum correctly and contact the Museum for permission where applicable.
Establishing a Brigade in Busby (Green Valley)
In 1960 the NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) began investigating opportunities for new fire stations in Sydney’s southwest. Whilst originally it was intended that a fire station be constructed in the soon to be completed Hoxton Park development, in 1962 the suburb of Green Valley garnered attention instead.
In conversation with the Planning Officer of the Housing Commission of NSW, it was discovered that Green Valley rather than Hoxton Park, was approved for major development including 6,000 dwellings which would accommodate a population of 24,000 people. Considering this development, Green Valley’s prime geographical location, its ability to offer protection to its northeastern neighbour of Mount Pritchard and to offer ‘backup’ to Liverpool Fire Station, it became the effective recommendation of Inspector V. A. Lowther (a later Chief Officer of the NSWFB) that a fire station be constructed in this area.
Acting in earnest, by April 1964 the NSWFB purchased land on Cartwright Street, Green Valley, for £2,150 (approximately $73,650 today). Tender for construction would successfully go to Ferrum Engineering Co. Pty. Ltd. for £7,777 (approximately $266,350 today) with construction beginning in the latter half of 1965. Being a relatively quick build, No. 031 Green Valley Fire Station finished construction on 14 January 1966 with active operations beginning and the official opening taking place on 24 March 1966.
In May 1968, Green Valley Fire Brigade would begin a movement that saw to the visual improvement of fire stations. Station Officer Belmer of “B” Platoon requested an approval to spend $2 per year (approximately $30 today) from petty cash to purchase seedlings and shrubs to enhance the gardens of Green Valley Fire Station. Station Officer Belmer’s request delighted the Deputy Chief Officer and Chief Officer so much that they approved brigades to spend $10 per year (approximately $142 today) on “station beautification” across the state.
A Name Change and New Station
In 1972 it came to the attention of the Geographical Names Board of NSW that the suburb of Green Valley was being misused in many contexts within Liverpool City Council. The larger area known as Green Valley had changed since the area was first drafted by the Housing Commission of NSW, having been divided into smaller suburbs such as Ashcroft, Busby, Heckenberg and Sadlier. The Liverpool City Council was then advised that it needed to correct the names of businesses and addresses so that they stated the right suburbs. The Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW were as a result promptly notified that Green Valley Fire Station was incorrectly named, for it fell in the boundary of Busby. This was then rectified, and the station renamed to No. 031 Busby Fire Station in August 1972.
Over the years the Busby Fire Brigade has demonstrated significant service to its community with the station being one of the top three busiest stations in the region, recording on average the highest number of fire responses from the mid-late 90’s to the late 2010s. Changes in technology and the evolving needs from fire stations such as the “Clean Station” principal necessitated the construction of a new station building for its crew. Land for the station was acquired in 2020, with construction taking place between then to 2024. Construction had effectively finished in mid-2024, with the new station operational from the 9 July 2024, and that station’s official opening held on 12 August 2024.
Busby’s Historic Fleet List
Year | Make/Model | Motor Engine Number | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
1966 | Bedford J1 | 200 | Pumper |
1967 | Commer B357 | 298 | Pumper |
1970 | Ford Thames | 105 | Pumper |
1971 | Dennis D600 Mk2 | 446 | Pumper |
1981 | International 1710B | 633 | Pumper |
1985 | International 1810C | 276 | Pumper |
1986 | International 1810C | 152 | Pumper |
1994 | Austral FirePac 3500 | 331 | Pumper |
2001 | Varley Commander T4 | 365 | Pumper |
2010 | Scania P310 | 336 | Pumper |
2016 | Scania P320 | 209 | Pumper |
2020 | Scania P320 | 292 | Pumper |
You can purchase a copy of the Busby station book either in-store or online by visiting www.museumoffire.net/product-page/station-books
- Story by Museum of Fire Heritage Team
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