Urgent pleas for new Aireys Inlet station after 12-year wait

A coastal community in a high-risk bushfire area is urging the state government to build them a new fire station after more than a decade of delays.

Aireys Inlet CFA members Hugh Champness, Cameron McKenzie and Andrew Wilson in the confined garage and changing room at the station. Picture: Alan Barber

A coastal community in a high-risk bushfire area is urging the state government to build a new fire station after more than a decade of delays.

Aireys Inlet Fire Brigade is still without a new station, despite a parcel of land being secured by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in 2018.

Aireys Inlet CFA brigade captain Adam Gilliver said concerns among the community were growing over the safety of the current facility, with no progress being made.

“This isn’t just about the brigade, it’s about keeping our community safe, supporting our volunteers, and being ready for whatever comes next.” Mr Gilliver said.

“The current station is well past its use-by date, our volunteers work in tight, outdated conditions that simply aren’t safe or suitable anymore.”

Aireys Inlet CFA members Richard Kilpatrick, Samson Wylie, Hugh Champness, Captain Adam Gilliver, Cameron McKenzie and Andrew Wilson. Picture: Alan Barber

The existing cramped station was built in 1984. Picture: Alan Barber

Aireys Inlet is located in a high-risk bushfire area and Mr Gilliver said year-round tourism added extra pressure on to local firefighters.

The current station was built in 1984.

The brigade is asking the Allan government to be proactive in improving facilities in the area to help prevent disaster.

“We’ve waited over 12 years. The CFA secured land, but since then nothing, we need the government to step up and fund the station build,” Mr Gilliver said.

Land that was allocated to Aireys Inlet CFA back in 2018. Picture: Alan Barber

“Our members are committed, but morale takes a hit when you see nothing change year after year, a new station would be a huge boost.”

In 1984, the same year the current station was built, the horrifying Ash Wednesday fires claimed the lives of three people in the Otway Ranges, including that of Aireys Inlet man Lloyd Venables.

Aireys Inlet CFA second lieutenant at the time, Howard Hughes, said “entire house roofs were flying around”.

“When it came, it came that hard you were running for your life and salvaging what you could,” Mr Hughes said.

“The smoke started to blow, you could hear it like tanks coming up the hill and it was like a war zone with gas cylinders going off.

“I’m telling ya, entire house roofs were flying around.”

[e-mail]

Originally published as Urgent pleas for new Aireys Inlet station after 12-year wait