Steps forward for St Leonards fire station

PLANS for a new fire station at St Leonards are progressing through their final planning stages before construction can start on the new facility.

The City of Greater Geelong is exhibiting plans it received last year for the new St Leonards-Indented Head brigade base, checking one of the last boxes in its planning process before shovels can hit the ground.

The proposed station would be at 1060 Murradoc Road, towards the intersection with Bluff Road, just under one kilometre from the town’s western boundary.

State government signs at the proposed site indicate a scheduled finishing date of late this year.

Plans show designs for a three-bay appliance room with quick access to the road, with a rear training yard and additional shed for further storage, plus visitor car parks, landscaping, water tanks and solar panels.

Station construction would also include removal of roadside crash rails to improve road access.

Planning documents estimate the project will cost $3.2 million to build.

The state government announced the project, acquired its land and committed to funding in 2020 to improve the almost 40-year-old facilities that volunteer firefighters currently used.

“In June 2020, land was acquired at Murradoc Road, St Leonards, to build a new St Leonards-Indented Head CFA Fire Station,” the state’s Community Safety Building Authority (CSBA) said on its website.

“With the existing 38-year-old facility no longer fit for purpose, the new station will provide volunteers with more space to accommodate vehicles and emergency equipment, improve amenities and provide greater accessibility.

“In collaboration with CFA, CSBA is ensuring the facility reflects the commitment and dedication of the St Leonards-Indented Head Brigade and supports the needs of the local community now and into the future.”