Delivering the best facilities for riddells creek cfa

The Andrews Labor Government is boosting support for local firefighters in Riddells Creek, with $3 million to build a new CFA station to meet the demands of volunteer firefighters and the community into the future.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the volunteer brigade on behalf of Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Lisa Neville.

In last year’s State Election Labor committed to a refurbishment of the brigade’s facilities. After working with the CFA, the Victorian Budget 2019/20 included funding to provide the brigade and the community with a new, larger and fully maintained station.

Its features will include a three-bay motor room, support and meeting areas, offices, turn-out areas for firefighters, as well as a kitchen, training yard, communications infrastructure, fencing and a car park.

The Riddells Creek Fire Brigade is made up of 61 volunteers – including 23 females and 38 males – and responds to around 160 incidents a year.

As part of the rebuild, a new and larger site will be selected with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

As part of the budget, the CFA and Life Saving Victoria will receive $17 million to ensure our volunteers and staff can protect lives and property both on land and in the water.

The Government has invested $8.5 million for better mental health care for police and emergency service workers, including a 12-month pilot of provisional payments, so the men and women who keep our state safe get mental health support as soon as they need it.

A $5.4 million investment will also build on our emergency alert infrastructure to help keep Victorians safe, protecting lives and property.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:
"Our CFA volunteers play a vital role in the community, especially in Riddells Creek where the brigade is being kept busy as the area continues to grow."

"The brigade has outgrown the current facility, which was built in 1984, and our investment will provide a fit-for-purpose base for our local volunteers and the community."

"We’ll continue to work with the CFA to ensure firefighters have the infrastructure, equipment and training they need to keep people safe."