New first responders’ site confirmed

A NEW CFA and SES facility is the local big winner from the state budget with money for the co-located site confirmed among Tuesday’s announcements.

The project was the subject of dualling commitments from Labor and the Coalition during the 2022 election campaign.

It was promised by the now Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, in mid-October, before being matched by the State Labor Government weeks later in the wake of last spring’s flooding.

Ms Cleeland said the new facility was much needed.

“Both the CFA and SES in Heathcote have had serious difficulties with their facilities,” she said.

“These issues were made particularly obvious during the October floods, and it was important to do what we could to improve their facilities.

“For them to receive the funding they have campaigned so hard for is a testament to the strength of the community.”

While the news was good for the co-located SES and CFA facility, Ms Cleeland was critical of the State Government over other, unfunded projects.

“In Heathcote, projects such as improving the storage facilities at the local RSL hall would have been a drop in the ocean compared to some of the spending we are seeing in metropolitan areas,” she said.

“The Nationals made a commitment to fund upgrades to the hall, which sadly was not matched by the Labor Government.

“The hall already serves as a meeting place for many of Heathcote’s amazing community groups, and these facilities could have been improved with just minor investment.”