Wednesday, 25 May 2022

State Emergency Service Dunkeld unit

Ms KEALY (Lowan) (19:04): (6378) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Emergency Services, and the action I seek is for the minister to immediately confirm an additional allocation of funding to finally make the new local headquarters for Dunkeld SES a reality. This is a project which has been going on for a very long period of time. In fact eight years ago they first announced that they would get an allocation of funding for the Dunkeld SES. There have been many, many challenges in trying to secure a site, which has now been acquired. It has now been agreed that a former police property will be made available to the new local headquarters for the SES. However, there have also been some changes over this duration of time, including changes to the SES design principles of what the minimum requirements are for their headquarters. This includes requiring a drive-through motor bay, and of course that will require an additional driveway. They are looking at a much higher cost now than what was initially allocated to them.

There is great concern within the Dunkeld SES. I recently met with them. I have known Greg Gardner for a very long time; he is the deputy controller at Dunkeld. One of their key concerns is they have got the land secured, they know they have got an allocation of funding, but because the design principles have changed so much they simply have not got enough money to make this a reality.

All the Dunkeld SES are looking for is a confirmation from the minister to say yes, she will make this a reality, finally, and we will finally have a local headquarters for the Dunkeld SES and support for the great work that those volunteers do not just in road rescues along the Glenelg Highway but also the fabulous work they do in the Grampians National Park, the rescues they perform through there and particularly in supporting the Grampians Peaks Trail and the increased tourism and walkers that we will see through that area. I do implore the minister: please commit this additional funding and provide our local volunteers with the support that they desperately need.