Thursday, 31 October 2024

Country Fire Authority Winnindoo brigade

Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:14): (719) My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. In October 2020 the government announced that it would build a new fire station at Winnindoo, a tiny brigade between Rosedale and Heyfield. Four years later not only has the work not begun but the brigade has been advised that the station will not be completed until 2026. Why does it take this Labor government six years to build a fire station for a one-truck brigade?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:14): I thank Ms Bath for her question and the opportunity to again thank our CFA volunteers around the state, who put their lives on the line to protect others each and every day.

We have invested more than $22 million to ensure that our CFA brigades have modern, fit-for-purpose facilities to protect the community, and we are continuing to work with the Country Fire Authority on the Winnindoo fire station so that it meets the needs of locals in that area. The Winnindoo community is well served in case of emergency by its hardworking brigade and surrounding supporting brigades in Rosedale, Heyfield, Cowwarr and Toongabbie. They work collectively to protect their respective communities. The Community Safety Building Authority is progressing the design of the new Winnindoo fire station in collaboration with the CFA and indeed involving the hardworking Winnindoo fire brigade volunteers.

Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:15): Thank you for your response, Minister. The land for the Winnindoo station has been donated by a local farmer, who is a former captain. The current station has no toilet, no kitchen facilities and no change rooms, and you have been talking about providing for the volunteers. Minister, why do volunteers have to suffer inadequate facilities because Labor cannot manage money?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:16): I thank Ms Bath for her question; it is an important question. I can confirm that the original budget allocation for the project was based on cost estimates prior to COVID-19. We all have experienced –

Members interjecting.

Jaclyn SYMES: I am giving you an answer. The budget required to complete the build has increased significantly. Back to my answer to the previous question, the CSBA is working with CFA and the local members on plans to meet their needs.