THE former Bassendean fire station in Parker Street has been listed for sale, despite the Town of Bassendean’s efforts to acquire it to turn it into a community hub.

In February 2025, Mayor Kathryn Hamilton moved a motion to request the state government to gift or sell the fire station for a nominal fee, which passed unanimously.

The motion stated that the site had been left vacant and disused since 2013, with cracks, water damage and mould sighted throughout the building.

A Town of Bassendean spokesperson said the town then entered a 12-month engagement with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) to understand the site’s level of contamination and potential remediation costs.

The spokesperson also said the town had only recently become aware of the sale and was disappointed by the lack of consultation involving this decision.

“The current public disposal process does not adequately account for the site’s broader strategic considerations, including its potential for community use and benefit, the need to facilitate active development rather than land banking, and the opportunity for the site to contribute meaningfully to transit-oriented development objectives,” they said.

The station is considered significant for its architecture as it represents two major periods in the history of the Western Australian fire service: the intense post-Depression building program of 1934-38 when the station was first built, and the restructuring of Metropolitan fire services in the 1950s when the building was altered to accommodate staff.

In 2018, the station was added to the state’s heritage list.

Long time Bassendean resident and heritage advocate Gerry Coleman said he was disappointed to learn the site had not been acquired by the town.

“It’s unknown what’s going to happen with it now, and unfortunately, it feels like our history is slowly being eroded,” he said.

“The station has been there for such a long time and it’s part of our community. I am afraid somebody could buy it and use it for commercial purpose. It should be brought back to its former glory.”

A DFES spokesperson said all parties interested in the old Bassendean fire station site have been advised DFES has the responsibility under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998 to realise a market value return for the sale of any property.

“DFES has since advertised the property to the open market. Surplus funds from the sale of the Bassendean site will be allocated to other capital works projects to enhance community safety in Western Australia,” they said.

However, despite the town’s disappointment, Mayor Kathryn Hamilton acknowledged that the sale of the site is a step in the right direction for future redevelopment.

“While Council remains hopeful of exploring alternative pathways that enable a stronger community outcome, we are encouraged that the State Government has begun taking steps toward the site’s future redevelopment,” she said.

“For many years, our community has expressed concern about the ongoing vacancy and deterioration of this historic building. We want to see a future that respects the building’s heritage significance, while delivering meaningful benefits for the community.”

The town said it would continue to monitor the sale process and was considering whether to make its own market offer for the site.