By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
NEWBOROUGH Fire Brigade is now available for more efficient responses to fire incidents in the local community, with a brand new fire station officially opened last week.
Despite moving across from the old station at the end of last year, CFA delegates and Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing arrived to ceremonially welcome Newborough CFA members and announce it to the broader public.
The first-class facility located on Monash Road includes three motor bays for improved parking and access, an additional three bay shed out the back, a hose drying tower, a dedicated breathing apparatus maintenance room, and PPE storage and drying room.
A large onsite workshop, expansive rear yard and tea room are also part of what is a second home for the 30 local volunteers of the brigade.
Excitement permeated the station, which included CFA District 27 and Fire Rescue Victoria representatives, as a new development had been cried out for Newborough dating back a decade.
The Labor government eventually announced a new fire station for Newborough in 2020, as part of extensive upgrades for fire services infrastructure around the Moe area.
A rebuilt Moe CFA station was opened in 2023, along with a second Moe facility, Latrobe West, designated for Fire Rescue Victoria, but Newborough had to wait a little longer.
Construction on the Newborough CFA station commenced in November 2024.
Newborough 1st Lieutenant Andrew Phoenix said that the new station meant a lot to its members, who respond to around 120 incidents each year.
“We have been looking forward to this for many years, so finally moving into a purpose-built station with the space and facilities we need is incredibly exciting,” he said.
“We’re excited to see it become a place the whole Newborough community can be proud of.”
First Lt. Phoenix added that the facility offers improved training opportunities for current and future members, as well as there being a dedicated space for firefighters to decompress after challenging incidents.
“It will make a huge difference to how we operate and help us connect with and hopefully help attract new members from the community to join our brigade,” he said.
Fellow Newborough CFA member Natasha Kenter also marked the momentous milestone.
“This moment has been long awaited by our members and the Newborough community,” she said.
“It represents progress, commitment and continued strength by all volunteers in our region.”
“It’s an investment for our comfortability, wellbeing and our future.”
The new location was a clear point made by all in attendance, with a larger area allowing a safer and more efficient space for turnouts (the mobilisation for responses).
The previous Newborough fire station on Old Sale Rd was in a significantly more congested location close to the centre of town, next to the Moe Newborough Leisure Centre and across from Newborough East Primary School.
Along with an overall smaller site, this made it more difficult for turnouts.
Ms Shing was excited to see the new fire station open after many years of advocacy from members, which the MP said is a part of the state government’s determination to build and upgrade emergency service facilities in the Latrobe Valley.
“It sits alongside a record investment that we’ve (the Allan government) made, including $100 million in facilities and equipment from this year’s budget,” she said.
“The work goes on to make sure that branches, units and brigades have what they need to do their work every single day to turnout at all hours of the day and night, and provide people with their care and expertise.”
Other local CFA upgrades include in Morwell and Traralgon in the last seven years.
Newborough Fire Brigade was first registered in 1955, with its history entrenched in the community, which includes playing a fireground role during the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires, as well as responding to the Hazelwood Mine Fire in 2014 and the 2009 Black Saturday fires.
