Thursday, 18 April 2024

Ministers statements: flood recovery

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (11:38): I would like to update the house on the progress of the Allan Labor government’s commitment to the communities of Rochester and Heathcote, following the flood event, to rebuild the VICSES and CFA facilities which were severely damaged in October 2022. These communities are one step closer to receiving their brand new co-located emergency service hubs, with sites now identified –

Members interjecting.

Jaclyn SYMES: You don’t want this investment in your electorate? The new facilities will be jointly owned and utilised –

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Members, we are supposed to be putting on our best face in a regional sitting. I do not think the minister was being provocative, so I ask her to start from the start of her statement and I ask members to be silent during the statement.

Jaclyn SYMES: Talking about the commitment from the Allan Labor government to the Rochester and Heathcote VICSES and CFA facilities, which as we know were damaged in the October 2022 floods, these communities are one step closer to receiving their brand new co-located emergency services hubs with sites now identified for the construction of both facilities. The new facilities will be jointly owned and utilised by VICSES and CFA, equipping volunteers with the resources they need to carry out their vital role of protecting Victorian communities. And everyone here knows just how vital that is.

The Victorian government provided just over $23 million in funding for these redevelopments, which will be delivered by the Community Safety Building Authority, known as CSBA. They have worked closely with CFA and VICSES members in Rochester and Heathcote to identify appropriate sites, with planning work and concept designs already well underway. CSBA are currently in commercial negotiations with vendors in relation to the Rochester site, and we will have more to say about that regarding the chosen location in the very near future. The Heathcote site is also very close to being finalised, with CSBA working closely with the City of Greater Bendigo regarding that suitable site.

Each emergency services hub will have six motor bays, fit-for-purpose amenities and ample space for training new and existing members. As we know, when you build new facilities it is a great opportunity to attract new volunteers to those organisations, so this is not only providing for current volunteers but hopefully for future ones. They will also have upgraded communications and equipment storage facilities. I look forward to meeting with the Rochester volunteers tomorrow to give them a personal update in relation to the progress of their important project.

I would also like to update the house briefly as I finish that on the way here yesterday I visited Tatura CFA brigade to hand over a brand new heavy tanker, one of 48 that are being rolled out across the state. I look forward to returning to one of the best parts of Victoria to hand over further tankers to Euroa, Shepparton, Seymour and Wangaratta, which are all currently undertaking training and final checks on their trucks.