Parties’ firey test

By Nicole Williams
BEACONSFIELD firefighters are celebrating after the Brumby Government pledged $7.4 million to build a new CFA station if re-elected in the coming State Election.
Gembrook Labor MP Tammy Lobato visited the station last week to announce the new Beaconsfield fire station alongside the Minister for Emergency Services Bob Cameron, CFA Beaconsfield Captain Paul Hayes and volunteers.
Captain Hayes said the commitment was long overdue as the current Beaconsfield fire station opened in 1944 and the area has grown around it.
“This is 30 years in the making and it’s been a great station to service the community since 1944, but unfortunately we have just outgrown it,” he said.
Gembrook candidate Brad Battin has said the commitment is not new, but a replacement of a regional integrated station in Berwick which was announced earlier this year.
“This is not new money or a new announcement,” Mr Battin said. “This is the government fighting to cover their earlier mistake.”
However, according to Ms Lobato, the new Beaconsfield station is in line with Labor’s plans for a future regional integrated fire station.
Ms Lobato said the government had been working hard to ensure the Beaconsfield fire station remained viable and prospers to serve a valuable community in a volatile area.
“The Beaconsfield brigade has a very important area to represent and I am very pleased the Beaconsfield brigade is going to be able to respond to that area,” she said.
The proposed station will become integrated with career staff, which will take the pressure off nearby stations like Berwick.
According to Captain Hayes, the new station and career staff is a positive step for the Beaconsfield brigade and the area and will enable the station to give excellent service delivery to the community.
The total building cost, including the cost of land north of the Princes Highway, will be about $7.4 million.
The land has not yet been identified and Mr Cameron highlighted that there is no rush and no purchase would be made until the right land was found at the right price.