New $13m Craigieburn fire station excites volunteers

CRAIGIEBURN’S fire department is to get a new $13 million home to boost numbers, trucks and response.

Jubilant fireys following confirmation of funding in the state budget for a new fire station in Craigieburn.

CRAIGIEBURN’S fire department is to get a new $13 million home.

A new station was last week announced by the State Government ahead of its budget, to replace the station house at Belsay Place, off Craigieburn Rd.

Fire station offficer in charge Dave Maxwell said the crews had outgrown the current station. “Everybody’s very excited, we’ve been here for 15 years and volunteer numbers have increased significantly,” he said.

The existing station houses three fire trucks but the department is hoping the new premises can have as many as five and bed accommodation for 12 firefighters.

Mr Maxwell said the new home would allow the station to accept more volunteers, which means a quicker response time for the community.

Yuroke state MP Ros Spence praised the local firefighters and the “terrific” job they do.

With the expanding sprawl of Craigieburn housing 50,347 residents, the fire station already answers up to 1000 emergency calls per year, including assisting Ambulance Victoria.

Emergency Services Minister James Merlino said the new station would mean Craigieburn has a “bigger, better and more modern base they need to protect their growing community”.

The development process is not yet under way, with the location of the new base still to be confirmed.