A Bendigo firefighter has accused Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan of repeatedly ignoring warnings about a $2.4 million fire station that has remained unused for more than four years, despite being built in response to the Black Saturday Bushfires Royal Commission.
Unused Station Raises Concerns
The state-of-the-art fire station in East Bendigo was completed in June 2022 at a cost of $2.4 million. However, it remains empty because upgrade applications for an existing Fire Rescue Victoria and Country Fire Authority facility have not yet been approved. Firefighters say the delay is unacceptable and puts the community at risk.
Simon Thomas, a local United Firefighters Union delegate, said he has tried to raise the issue with the Premier multiple times over the past decade but has received no response. “I’ve emailed her probably 15 to 20 times highlighting the issues we’re experiencing in Bendigo and around the state,” he said. “She’s never replied to an email.”
Black Saturday Recommendations Unfulfilled
Thomas noted that many recommendations from the Black Saturday Royal Commission have been implemented, but this particular station remains idle. “For some reason this one is sitting idle… even though on the government’s own website they’ve got it listed as completed,” he said.
Sky News host Peta Credlin questioned whether taxpayer money was being used effectively. “Those who pay for emergency services likely expected the money was at least looking after firefighters and giving them what they needed to keep people safe,” she said. Thomas replied, “No, not at all. The levy raises billions and billions of dollars, so where does the money go? I have no idea. We’re fed up with being underfunded and our trucks breaking down. We need it fixed.”
Community Support for Firefighters
Thomas said the community stands with firefighters and wants the government held accountable. “Everyone wants to stand with firefighters, everyone wants this government held accountable or kicked out at the election,” he said. “They haven’t managed our money well. They’re the custodians of our money, meant to spend it wisely, and I see it’s just getting blown no matter where they go.”
The vacant building on Murphy Street in Bendigo is intended as a temporary fire station when upgrades begin on the town’s central fire station on Hargreaves Street. However, Fire Rescue Victoria continues to use the ageing facility, and the CFA has rented another site, according to reports from January.
Political Reactions
State opposition leader Jess Wilson described the situation as “emblematic” of the current government’s failures. “The fact that we continue to see this waste of taxpayer money building a new fire station and then keeping it closed for years because the government can’t afford to ensure that it has the firefighters and equipment to open just speaks volumes. This government has its priorities all wrong,” she said.
