Calls for the CFA to be allocated the land behind the Geelong West Fire Station, with the land under consideration for residential development.
Geelong West Fire Brigade First Lieutenant Stephen Robertson has started a petition, requesting the state government retain the land at 67B and 67C McCurdy Road in Herne Hill for emergency services and community safety purposes.
“A lot of our members actually gain access to the fire station across the old rail corridor there,” he said.
“We have effectively six minutes to get our truck out the door when a fire call comes in, so members are using the back access to respond and get the trucks out in a safe and fast manner.”
“The moment housing goes across there, that’s going to restrict that ability.”
The petition expressed concern the loss of this access would compromise community safety and long-term emergency management capability.
Robertson explained the design of the station, saying the rear wall was designed to allow for roller door installation.
“Most other modern fire stations built in the last couple decades will generally have a drive through engine bay,” he said.
“Getting the land behind us would allow us to have a driveway down the side of the fire station, swing around, and then drive on through the back of the station. The station was actually designed to allow for that should the land ever become available.
“At the moment, the trucks are having to nose out on to McCurdy Road before then reversing in.
“McCurdy Road, it’s busy at times but when we see Geelong expand further out west with the McCanns Lane development and things like that, that road’s going to get even busier, so a bit of a safety thing in that as well.”
The petition has been backed by Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur, who’s raised the issue on Spring Street.
More information on the petition can be found on the Parliament of Victoria website.
