Fire station closed by ‘cancer cluster’ could be investigated for new use by Success Netball Association

The City of Cockburn will investigate if a fire station closed permanently a decade ago due to a mysterious “cancer cluster” could be recast to cater for Success Netball Association’s long-desired expansion. The Hammond Road fire station was shut down after four staff were diagnosed with kidney cancer between 2008 and 2014, sparking an investigation into conditions at the site. An independent review by Golder Associates found there was “no identifiable link” between the station and the cancer diagnoses, but the Department of Fire and Emergency Services went ahead with the station shutdown and relocation of its fireys. Last week the City of Cockburn revealed a masterplan to guide a $26 million redevelopment of the Success Regional Recreation Reserve, with a site investigation of the adjoining former fire station an early priority. “We hope to utilise this site for future expansion of netball infrastructure and parking, the master plan recommends four additional netball courts and an expansion of the car park,” Cockburn mayor Logan Howlett said. In 2015, then-DFES commissioner Wayne Gregson said it was unlikely any cause for the “cancer cluster” would ever be confirmed but the common link of the fire station location was a risk he was ending. “Despite extensive investigations since mid-2014 and a subsequent review by an independent panel, no cause of the cancers has been found,” he said. “I am advised a cause is not likely to be found and we may never have an answer for why four firefighters from the one station have been diagnosed with the same cancer. “I have come to a decision that I cannot, in good conscience, direct any firefighter to return to the Hammond Road site.” The City of Cockburn’s head of community infrastructure and safety Andrew Tomlinson said council staff would now work with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to understand any constraints. “The site is currently owned by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and any site investigation is yet to be determined,” he said. “As the landowner, DFES holds responsibility for assessing site conditions, and the City will seek to engage with DFES to understand any potential constraints.” DFES confirmed there had not yet been any action to bring the long-closed site back to life, but it was considering options. “The Department of Fire and Emergency Services closed the Success fire station in 2015 as a precautionary measure due to possible environmental and health concerns,” a spokesperson said. “The land on which the former Success fire station was built is a reserve under a management order to DFES, which is still considering options for the site.”