The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has urged the Minister for Emergency Services to deliver a new station promised for the Hazelwood North Fire Brigade.
“For 95 years the quiet achievers at the Hazelwood North Fire Brigade have been serving the community and batting well above their average,” Mr Cameron said.
“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 volunteers at Hazelwood North have been promised a new station, but they have now been waiting so long that the land allocated to them by council is in danger of being reallocated if not used.
“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.
“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 and critical assets.
“Despite all this the brigade continues to do a power of work – assisting with floods across the state, travelling overseas to support fire suppression efforts, and even managing the statewide weather station.
“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.”
