The project has been costed at $6.5 million.

When Chief Minister Michael Gunner unveiled plans for the new station in April he said the project would cost $8 million.

Katherine MLA Sandra Nelson said the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics has engaged Ashford Group to design the project in conjunction with NTPFES.

The design is valued at $304,399.50 and is currently progressing.

“During the design phase of projects of this size it is typical to continually refine the scope to maximise the benefits for the end operators of the facility.

“While the designers’ current construction estimate is $6.5million this excludes the design costs and furnishings and fit-out which will be integral to the operation of the facility,” Ms Nelson said.

The full $8 million will be spent on delivering the facility.

“An upgraded cross-over on the Stuart Highway from the existing ambulance centre is in the tender phase for design and will be funded separately.”

The former CLP Government had set aside $5 million for an expansion of the existing police station complex because of overcrowding.

That $5 million would instead be spent on a new fire station, rescue and emergency services facility, with a $3 million top-up from the Gunner Government for all the works.

Mr Gunner said in April the project included the option of constructing a $1.6m heavy vehicle highway crossover.

The new complex will be located opposite the existing fire/police complex and adjacent to the newly opened ambulance station.

Project architects, Ashford Group Architects in Darwin, said “due to limited funding at this time it is proposed to build the complex in two stages”.

“The new combined complex comprises a shared public entry foyer, shared staff amenities including gym with separate office and specialist accommodation of workshops, appliance bays for each service,” the development application states.

“It is proposed to build a new fire rescue and emergency services station complex on the site comprising a single entry foyer reception space, separate service OIC offices and shared offices, shared ancillary staff support facilities, a training room and a meeting room and staff amenities including kitchen, dining, lounge room, public toilet and staff toilets, showers and change facilities. Staff accommodation including sleeping quarters and a lounge are proposed as part of the staged works.

“The station when fully developed will be manned fulltime by up to 10 staff with approximately 5 from each service. It is possible that when volunteer training is undertaken there could be up to 30 volunteers in a training group.”

The architects said the new complex was designed to be “complementary with the recently completed Katherine Ambulance Station”.

“The site was selected as the overall relative contour levels are above the 1:100 year flood level for Katherine,” they said.