STAFF WRITERS

 

HAZELWOOD North Fire Brigade will hope it has a new station when centenary celebrations roll around in three years time.

The current station is just a single roller door and meeting room, built by the brigade themselves.

There is also no space to park without obstructing access to the tanker, while the station is located along a dangerous stretch of Jeeralang North Road, carrying a 100km/h speed limit.

Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron ‘toured’ the facility last week, and has urged Minister for Emergency Services, Vicki Ward to deliver a new station 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.”

Little has changed since Mr Cameron and then state Liberal leader, John Pesutto visited the brigade in 2023.

“To say their current facility is not fit for purpose would be an understatement,” Mr Cameron said.

“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 state-wide 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.”