- Published:
- Tuesday 24 May 2016
The Andrews Labor Government has welcomed the final report of the Parliamentary Inquiry into the CFA Training College at Fiskville, tabled in the Victorian Parliament today.
The comprehensive report includes 125 findings and makes 31 recommendations relating to Fiskville. The Government will consider the content of the final report and form a response to the recommendations.
Announced by the Government in December 2014, the landmark inquiry examined the health concerns at Fiskville, including the pollution, contamination, and unsafe activities from 1970 until its closure in 2015.
The inquiry also studied the site’s effects on employees’ health, residents and visitors during that time, and the roles and responsibilities of past and present executive management.
The findings in the report vindicate the Government’s decision to act quickly to close Fiskville in March last year on advice from the CFA Board because the site posed a health and safety risk to firefighters.
The Government refused to jeopardise the safety of the CFA workers and volunteers who used the Fiskville site.
Since the facility’s closure, the Government has been working to ensure firefighters have a safe environment to work and train.
As part of the Victorian Budget 2016-17, the Government announced a $46.2 million investment to establish a new firefighting training centre in the Central Highlands and upgrade the training facility at Huntly.
An additional $80.7 million was allocated over four years to decommission and remediate the site of the former Fiskville training ground and upgrade six other training centres located across regional Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett
“The Parliamentary Inquiry into the CFA Fiskville Training College has undertaken a tremendous amount of work in delivering its final report and we will consider its findings carefully.”
“We understand this landmark inquiry has been difficult for all involved and I want to thank our firefighters, their families and the Fiskville community for their significant contributions.”
“This is a significant day for our emergency service workers who deserve a safe environment to work and train.”