A new fire station will be constructed in Selby delivering a major boost to emergency services in the Dandenong Ranges thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino visited the volunteer Selby Fire Brigade today to announce the ageing station on Belgrave-Gembrook Rd will be replaced with a state-of-the-art, three-bay facility on the same site.
Plans for the $1.35 million station are being finalised, with demolition works expected to start before the end of this year. The new station will be completed in 2019.
Mr Merlino said the station – one of five new stations being funded out of an additional $60 million the government has announced for the state’s fire services – will have a range of benefits, including:
- more space for the volunteers to store their firefighting appliances
- separating the engine bays from the meeting room, office and kitchen
- a new area for brigade members to don their protective clothing
- more suitable areas for training and community meetings.
The existing Selby fire station was built in 1977 and no longer meets the brigade’s needs, with its firefighting vehicles barely fitting in to the current engine bays.
Mr Merlino said the new station will provide a safer environment for the volunteers, and will help them respond quickly to fires and other emergencies.
The Selby Fire Brigade was established in 1926, after a fire destroyed large sections of the town.
It currently has 47 volunteer members, comprising 31 firefighters and 16 support members, and responds to an average of about 30 incidents each year.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino
“The volunteers at Selby Fire Brigade desperately need bigger and better facilities, which is why we are funding a new fire station.”
“The new building will have more space to store appliances and other key equipment, ensuring members have the modern base they need to respond to incidents and keep the Selby community safe.”
“The government is continuing to invest heavily in the state’s fire services, funding the infrastructure, training and equipment that our volunteer and career firefighters need.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020