Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Northern Victoria Region

Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (13:06): (1590) My question is for the Premier. The 2021–‍22 state budget allocated $4.7 million in funding for several new fire stations, including a new station for the Serpentine CFA in the Premier’s own electorate, which was expected to cost $890,000. It is now 2025, work has not even begun and the cost has blown out to $3.2 million. When will the construction of the new Serpentine CFA station finally commence and when will it be completed? The land acquisition was finalised in 2022. The tender was part of the CFA procurement activity plan for the 2022–23 year. In March 2024 then Minister Symes said delays to the project had been resolved, and in February 2025 the CFA said construction was to begin that month, with completion by August 2026. It is now the end of May, construction still has not commenced and it has been reported that a sod-turning ceremony due to take place on 6 June has been postponed. Premier, prior to 2021 the brigade lobbied you for a new station for more than a decade, and you have shown them no respect.