The Hazelwood North CFA will receive the new station it desperately needs as part of The Nationals’ commitment to ensuring Latrobe Valley residents get their fair share.
Despite being deemed not fit-for-purpose more than 16 years ago, a new station promised by Labor never materialised.
The hardworking brigade has lobbied tirelessly for the much-needed build while operating from a single roller door shed and a meeting room built by volunteers themselves.
An elected Nationals and Liberals Government will give the Hazelwood North CFA the facilities it needs and deserves and deliver a new three-bay station.
The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said “the quiet achievers” at Hazelwood North have been serving the Latrobe Valley community for nearly 100 years.
“For a long time, the Hazelwood North CFA has batted well above its average,” Mr Cameron said.
“Brigade members have assisted with floods across Victoria, travelled overseas to support fire suppression efforts, they manage the statewide weather station, educate our community, and most importantly protect our residents.
“They continue to do all this with facilities that are simply not fit for purpose, and it’s high time their contributions were repaid with the station they need and so richly deserve.
“Maria Harkins, who has fiercely advocated for this upgrade, couldn’t be here today but I have to thank her for her tireless work in fighting for this community.”
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Danny O’Brien, said local CFA volunteers and regional communities continued to pay the price for Labor’s failures.
“Volunteers like those at the Hazelwood North CFA put their lives on the line to protect our communities, and they deserve better than endless delays, excuses and bureaucracy,” he said.
This commitment is part of the Nationals and Liberals’ Fair Share Guarantee – a commitment that at least 25 per cent of all new infrastructure spending is allocated to regional Victoria, up from 12 per cent.
“We will ensure CFAs have the facilities and resources they need, put fleet replacement on a fixed and transparent schedule, and back our volunteers instead of running them into the ground,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This overdue investment will ensure the Hazelwood North CFA can continue to do what it does best – protect the local community.
“Only The Nationals and Liberals will deliver Latrobe Valley residents their fair share.”
