Relic Wittenoom ghost town Bedford fire truck to be restored for new Tom Price precinct

A 50-year-old fire truck once stationed in the notorious Wittenoom asbestos mining town will be restored to its former glory by the Shire of Ashburton. The truck, stationed at the now-abandoned town from the 1970s until the early 2000s, has been purchased by the Shire of Ashburton to be restored and housed at the planned emergency services precinct in Tom Price. Local councillors unanimously approved a motion at last month’s meeting to purchase the heritage truck for $5000. According to a Shire officer’s report, the truck’s owner and one of the last Wittenoom residents, Mario Harmann, claimed the truck was originally located in Newman and used by BHP before being relocated to Wittenoom. He wanted to see the vehicle restored and remain in the area. “Mr Hartmann has stated that he is willing to place the fire truck into the care of the Shire of Ashburton, by way of sale, as he is aware that there is not a lot of Wittenoom’s physical history left and he would equally like to see this vehicle restored and remain in the Shire of Ashburton,” the report stated. The report stated councillors had provided the Department of Fire and Emergency Services Heritage Trust with photos of the truck to help with the restoration and provide an estimated cost for the shire’s 2021/2022 budget allocation. Shire president Kerry White said she was thrilled the council was able to acquire the truck in recognition of the past and hoped its presence would act as an acknowledgement to volunteers. “This Bedford fire fighting truck is reminiscent of its era and a relic of a life gone by,” she said. “It was originally located in Newman and was operated by BHP before being relocated to the then mining town of Wittenoom. “With just 9000 miles on the odometer and the engine and old fire pumps still in working order, council agreed that this was an important piece of our Shire’s history to retain and we are looking forward to seeing it restored to its former vibrant glory.”