Wednesday, 18 March 2026

 Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (18:39): (2430) My adjournment this evening is for the Minister for Emergency Services, and the action I seek is for the immediate funding of a fit-for-purpose replacement CFA station at Charlton. The Charlton CFA station is a 95-year-old piece of history. Ninety-five years ago it would have been a state-of-the-art building fit for purpose. Fast-forward to today, and it is so outdated that the new tanker Charlton CFA received in 2021 cannot fit in the station and must be stored offsite. This is completely outrageous. It causes delays for volunteers responding to emergencies, putting lives at risk. This station also falls short of modern operational standards, with no private changing areas for female volunteers, only two toilets and no showering facilities. Female and male volunteers must all change together in an open space. This station functions as a group headquarters for six local brigades, making it vital for district fire responses. During large-scale events this station is used as a base for multiple crews and appliances, and it is simply unable to cope with the demand. This puts the comfort and safety of volunteers at risk. The air conditioning is substandard in the office parts of the station, and the training room is not big enough to facilitate the requirements of the brigade. In 2022 a parcel of land was purchased with the sole purpose of constructing a new fit-for-purpose CFA fire station in Charlton. To date, nothing has been done – not a plan, no funding, nothing at all. For four years this land has been sitting vacant while the government sits on its hands. This vital piece of infrastructure must be funded and built for the comfort and safety of the Charlton CFA and community. Minister, the action I seek is for the immediate funding of a fit-for-purpose replacement CFA station at Charlton.