SES unit calls for new facility

MEMBERS of the Bannockburn State Emergency Services Unit are lobbying for funding support to move to their own new, larger, fit-for-purpose building.

Member of 37 years Stephen Hicks is a passionate advocate on the unit’s ‘New Build Team’ who is calling for change.

“Bannockburn SES has been co-located with Bannockburn CFA for 27 years. The present accommodation was originally designed almost 30 years ago to house two CFA tankers and an SES truck,” he said.

“Since that time, CFA has grown to four vehicles, and SES has grown to three vehicles. To accommodate all those vehicles has been difficult.

“One of our vehicles is not garaged and has been outside at a member’s premises for the last 10 years. It’s getting pretty grim, deteriorating in the weather.”

Over the last three decades, with State funding support, the unit has gained a got a lot more equipment, but they can’t easily store these items either, needing to keep them in a container.

The CFA-SES building also only has one toilet, no showers or lockers, and the crowded nature of the space is a potential work health and safety issue.

Mr Hicks said they’ve been told by the State for the last five years that they’ve got a priority site for upgrade, but this election year, the unit has decided to “make a fuss.”

“It’s past its use-by date, we can’t wait any longer… and there is suitable land available.

“SES has some standard modular designs, which are expandable, and we’d like to see a four-bay facility built to respond to the rapidly growing area. What’s built needs to look to the future,” he said.

“We don’t have anywhere in the current headquarters for our history, like our honour boards, so we’d like to have space to celebrate our identity, and boost unit morale.”

Unit representative have had a meeting with Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens, which Mr Hicks said was positive, and another is lined up with Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Brad Battin.

A statement from a State Government spokesperson acknowledged the Bannockburn unit’s need for an upgrade as a priority project.

“We’ll continue to work with SES to see this project come to fruition,” a statement said.

“We’re supporting our emergency services agencies and ensuring volunteers and employees have the equipment and resources they need to keep Victorians safe.

“Part of this is delivering state of the art VICSES facilities right across Victoria, a number of which are already complete.”

In regard to the idea of continuing co-location, Mr Hicks said Bannockburn CFA are happy where they are, and SES making a move will ease overcrowding.

Members of the Bannockburn SES Unit encourage the community to spread the word, email or phone their local member of parliament, and visit facebook.com/BannockburnSES for updates.