The Morwell community will be better protected from the threat of fire thanks to the Andrews Labor Government with the construction of a new $11.6 million fire station to begin without delay.

The new station will deliver a significant boost to volunteer and career firefighters in the Latrobe Valley.

Firefighters currently attend around 850 incidents a year from the existing facility, which is a refurbished ambulance station.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the new station will provide firefighters in the growing brigade with modern facilities and more space for training and recovery.

The new station will also be used for community safety briefing and educational sessions for schools and other groups.

Now that proceedings at the Victorian Civil Administration Tribunal (VCAT) have concluded, construction at the new site, a 7242-square metre block on the corner of Princes Drive and Collins Street in Morwell, is expected to take around 12 months. Contractors will set up onsite over the next two weeks, with building work to start onsite towards the end of the month.

Morwell CFA was formed in 1915 and has 80 volunteers, and 28 staff members.

The major infrastructure development is part of CFA’s 350 Firefighter Program, which is a commitment from the Andrews Labor Government.

The 350 Firefighter Program involves significant investment in the recruitment of 350 new career firefighters, creating and deploying 350 mixed-rank positions from the existing workforce, building new fire stations, renovating existing infrastructure and purchasing new fire trucks and equipment.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“Firefighters at Morwell do a fantastic job protecting the community and this new station will give them the space and facilities they need to enhance the area’s emergency response capabilities.”

“The Andrews Labor Government is supporting our emergency services personnel by giving them what they need to save lives and to protect property.”