From left: Dan Kraan, Liberal Candidate for Narre Warren South Michael Shepherdson, opposition police spokesperson Kim Wells, Tony Bundox and Gary Grace.By Rebecca Fraser
THE State Opposition has thrown its support behind plans to relocate the Narre Warren fire station.
Last Friday Opposition police and emergency services spokesperson Kim Wells visited the CFA branch to discuss emergency service issues in the City of Casey.
He was accompanied by Liberal candidate for Narre Warren South Michael Shepherdson, who also spoke about the resources, funding and location of Casey’s emergency services.
Liberal candidate for Cranbourne Luke Martin and Inga Peulich from South Eastern Metropolitan also joined the pair.
CFA representatives and Mr Wells spoke of how the Narre Warren CFA branch is set to be relocated to vacant land at the intersection of Pound Road and Narre Warren Cranbourne Road.
Lieutenant Paul Hardy from Narre Warren CFA said the relocation was part of a five-year plan and was well on track to proceed.
Lt Hardy said the new location was far more central and would help the CFA respond to calls in the Narre Warren South area much quicker. He said the station was also pleased with the state of its equipment and said members had recently been able to purchase a new support vehicle with money the unit had raised.
Mr Wells said he visited the station in 2002 when its relocation was earmarked as a priority. He said four years later the Government had still not provided funding.
“The station handles around 600 call-outs a year and needs to be in a location that’s more accessible for the fire trucks and centrally located to attract more volunteers,” Mr Wells said.
Toby Hemming, spokesperson for Police and Emergency Services Minister Tim Holding, said the project was still going ahead. He said plans for the development were currently being prepared.
