Premier

New Emergency Training Institute At Mount Macedon

17 September 2016

The Andrews Labor Government is boosting training for Victorian emergency services with establishment of the Victorian Emergency Management Institute at Mount Macedon.

Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino today toured the new institute, located at the site of the former Australian Emergency Management Institute.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott closed the site in the 2014 Federal Budget – axing local jobs and ignoring calls from the local community and emergency services agencies to keep it open.

The new Victorian Emergency Management Institute will help boost local jobs and the economy.

It will build leadership capabilities across our emergency services, driving change and encouraging diversity in the sector through education and training.

The facility is set on six and a half acres and includes a large theatre with tiered seating, a simulation centre and room to accommodate almost 60 people.

The site will be redeveloped to meet Victoria’s emergency management training needs now and into the future, with an overhaul of the accommodation facilities, installation of new technology and safety upgrades.

The future of the golf course at the site has also been secured, with Mr Merlino today signing an agreement to lease the land back to the Mount Macedon Golf Club for the next 15 years, with the option to extend for a further 15 years.

Work on the upgrades will start this year, with emergency management training due to start in the first half of 2017.

The new Victorian Emergency Management Institute will also help fill the gap left by the closure of the contaminated Fiskville CFA training campus.

The Labor Government took strong action to permanently close the Fiskville site last year following the detection of toxic and deadly chemicals that put the health and safety of our fire fighters at risk.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino

“We’re providing a safe, state of the art training facility for our emergency services staff and volunteers.”

“Tony Abbott’s decision to close the national training facility at Mount Macedon hit the local community hard. We’re proud to step in and take over the site to boost local jobs and the economy.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas

“Emergency services training is back where it belongs in Mount Macedon.”

“This is a big win for the Mount Macedon community that will boost jobs and the local economy.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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