Katherine fire fighters recently made the move from the cramped backrooms of the police complex across the Stuart Highway to the open and modern facility.

The new fire station was a solution to a larger problem, the chronically overcrowded police building across the road.

The new station has made way for the influx of police resources including the contingent of police auxiliaries - we currently have 19.

While nothing is confirmed, police are toying with a few ideas for the freed-up space, which includes more offices and a large shed where the fire engines were once housed.

"The station is overcrowded," Katherine Superintendent Daniel Shean said.

"Now the firies have their own space it has given us the opportunity to use the space for our work units, and we are looking at the idea of using the space for defense tactics re-qualifications."

Increasing operational efficiency, Ms Manison said the new station has been a long time in the making.

More than 50 people from the community, mostly from emergency services, assembled in the expansive engine bay as the minister spoke about the strong community push to get the project off the ground.

"We wanted to make sure we had a quality fire station, and we are delighted to make that happen," Ms Manison said.

"Katherine's original facility for the tri-service... was built back in 1990 and the argument for this kind of complex in Katherine was compelling and certainly made us as a government take notice.

"It wasn't too long before within that police station that operational space pressures began.

"Pressure continued to grow particularly as we have seen an increase of resources to the number of police here in Katherine and we are also seeing the addition of police auxiliaries - they have made an important contribution to the community, but put pressure on infrastructure."

While overcrowding was the main factor in making the move, Ms Manison said there was an underlying need for space to train and store equipment in a centralised location.

For officer in charge, Bernie Welsford, the new station is a "breath of fresh air".

The new facility has boosted morale "to no end," he said, "in the past we were in a small closed away area."

"It has definitely made coming to work more of a pleasure."

Not only has the facility allowed the fire fighters to store all of their equipment in one place, but the officer in charge is predicting improved response times.

"The need for firies especially in remote areas is on the increase," he said.

"The move has been a win for us and a win for the police, I am really impressed."

During the construction phase, 240 jobs were created, and now the facility will be home to 15 career and auxiliary Fire and Rescue staff and Emergency Service volunteer staff.

The new space, which can accommodate up to 40 fire fighters in preparation for the future, includes a training facility, gym and outdoor BBQ area.

The project was announced by Chief Minister Michael Gunner in 2017, to help ease overcrowding at the police station.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.