The long-standing Hazelwood North Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigade, with nearly a century of community service urgently needs a new fire station to replace its aging and inadequate facilities.
Speaking in state parliament, The Nationals’ Melina Bath MP said serving the community for 96 years, the Hazelwood North brigade has been a critical emergency response unit, tackling bushfires, grass fires, house fires, and car fires in the Latrobe Valley region.
“The current fire station is outdated and not fit for purpose, it does not reflect the local risk, the brigade’s increased workload and proximity to local coal mines.
“The single-door roller shed fails to meet safety standards, there’s insufficient space for volunteers, no private areas for women, inadequate facilities for communications and training and limited parking that obstructs emergency vehicle access.
“In the upcoming state budget, the Allan Government must allocate funding for the construction of a new fit for purpose Hazelwood North fire station.”
Ms Bath’s call for action in state parliament echoes her Nationals colleague Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron who raised the issue two years ago and again in February.
“The Allan Government must match the brigade’s commitment to community safety by announce funding for a new station in the upcoming May budget,” said Mr Cameron.
“The land allocated by Latrobe City Council for a new fire station has been left vacant for so long, it’s now at risk of being reallocated which is completely unacceptable,” he said.
“Hazelwood North CFA volunteers do not have access to the facility they deserve, and the limitations are well documented.”
Ms Bath said the current Hazelwood North fire station is an identified workplace hazard.
“This is a brigade with a fabulous culture and volunteers go above and beyond when responding to emergency situations.
“The population growth and development of new industries in Hazelwood North means the brigade must be expanded and resourced to deal with a variety of emergency situations.
“The Labor government will praise the CFA when it suits them – it must put its money where its mouth is and deliver funding to build a new Hazelwood North fire station.”
