Question details
Country Fire Authority Hazelwood North brigade
(419) My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Emergency Services in the other place, and the action I seek is regarding a new fire station for the Hazelwood North fire brigade. For 95 years the quiet achievers at Hazelwood North have been serving the community and batting well above their average. They have gone from being a region 10 rural brigade to a region 27 brigade in recognition of all the work they do and their activities in the Latrobe Valley in the mines.
For many years the Hazelwood North fire brigade has been promised a new station. They have been waiting so long that the land allocated to them by council is in danger of being reallocated if not put to use. To say their current facility is not fit for purpose would be an understatement. The building is a single roller door shed and a meeting room the brigade built themselves. There is no room for volunteers to park without obstructing access to the tanker and the ultralight appliances, and they are located on a dangerous stretch of road where the speed limit is 100 kilometres per hour. Critically, they do not have 24-hour access to the station via an appropriate road. Because of all these factors, the brigade is unable to hold open days, unable to train appropriately and unable to have a junior brigade. Most importantly, volunteers do not have access to the facility they deserve and one they need to continue to protect our community. Yet despite all this the brigade continues to do a power of work in the Latrobe Valley. Members have assisted with floods across the state. They have travelled overseas to support fire suppression efforts. They manage the statewide weather station and undertake numerous activities in the interests of educating the community.
In 2028 the Hazelwood North fire brigade will celebrate its 100th birthday – 100 years of protecting the community, 100 years of serving the community. It is my hope, and that of all the hardworking volunteers, that they can mark this amazing milestone by cutting the ribbon on the new fit-for-purpose station they richly deserve. Minister, will you commit to a new station for Hazelwood North fire brigade and provide a time line for the delivery?
I thank the member for their question.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has stations requiring upgrade or redevelopment which are prioritised within the capital funding available. CFA prioritise station replacements based on district, regional and state-wide requirements, community risk profile and service delivery needs to ensure the best outcome for all Victorians.
CFA brigades conduct community engagement activities at different locations within their communities to ensure the greatest outreach and therefore stations are only one of many location options for engagement. I am advised the existing Hazelwood North facility does not prevent training and community engagement activities within the limitations of the site. A replacement fire station for Hazelwood North is not currently funded, and therefore there is no timeframe for its redevelopment.
CFA has confirmed the Hazelwood brigade (the Brigade) has 24-hour access to the site, and when responding to emergency incidents, the Brigade can use lights and sirens on its response vehicles to enter and exit the Jeeralang North Road safely. I am also advised the Brigade can make use of adjoining land owned by Gippsland Water for overflow car parking.
In 2014, Latrobe City Council approached CFA with a proposal to develop a joint CFA fire station and community hall on Warren Terrace. CFA provided feedback at the time outlining its requirements and would welcome further discussion with Latrobe City Council on any future plans for this site.
CFA will continue to review the condition of the station as part of its ongoing commitment to ensure its members have the equipment and assets needed to meet service delivery requirements.
Jaclyn Symes MP
Attorney-General
Minister for Emergency Services