Peter Marshall claims Allan government’s new velodrome unsafe for firefighters, community

Victoria’s firefighters union has put the squeeze on another of Jacinta Allan’s major projects, claiming firefighters cannot “safely access” the Premier’s new cycling path.

Victoria’s firefighters union has put the squeeze on another of Jacinta Allan’s major infrastructure announcements, claiming firefighters cannot “safely access” the Premier’s flagship cycling path.

The government opened the veloway, a cyclist-only path above Footscray Rd, on Sunday, spruiking it as providing a “safer commute” for people in Melbourne’s west.

But the United Firefighters Union (UFU) has poured cold water on the bike path’s safety, claiming the state’s trucks are too tall and too heavy to enter the veloway, meaning firefighters would be forced to fight any fire from the freeway deck above.

The union is concerned about fast-acting fires from the lithium-ion batteries that power increasingly popular e-bikes and e-scooters.

While the veloway can accommodate police vehicles and ambulances, the union is also concerned that if they are the first to respond to an incident they won’t be able to access the site due to the size of fire vehicles.

Militant UFU boss Peter Marshall said the issue placed the community and firefighters at risk.

“These issues have been raised repeatedly. The Allan government and FRV have allowed the veloway to open without resolving them,” Mr Marshall said.

“People have a right to know that firefighters cannot safely access this structure and cannot safely protect anyone inside it.”

UFU boss Peter Marshall has raised safety fears about the bike path’s safety. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Fire Rescue Victoria deputy commissioner Eddie Lacko rubbished claims that the veloway was not safe.

“FRV has been working with the developers for 10 years on the tunnel in all aspects and we’re confident that all aspects of the tunnels have been adhered to and followed due process,” he said.

“I can’t speak on behalf of the UFU on their strategy so all I can say is we’re confident that all aspects of the tunnel have been addressed.”

Emergency Services Minister Vicki Ward said FRV had done the work and the tunnel and veloway were as “safe as possible”.

The union has been in an escalating feud with the Allan government stemming from negotiations over a new enterprise agreement.

The government opened the veloway, a cyclist-only path above Footscray Rd, on Sunday.

It has demanded a 25 per cent pay rise over three years – significantly more than similar deals made by police and paramedics.

As revealed by the Herald Sun in September, the UFU will deploy hundreds of firefighters to campaign against the Allan government in the lead up to next year’s election.

Premier Jacinta Allan’s seat of Bendigo East is among more than 30 being targeted by firefighters in the largest political campaign since the union rallied against former premier Denis Napthine ahead of the 2014 election.

The fight has seen the UFU call out safety concerns in both the Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel, citing concerns about radios, breathing equipment and training in the mega-infrastructure projects.

The union’s concerns around the projects have been shot down by the government and Fire Rescue Victoria.

Fire Rescue Victoria has rubbished claims that the veloway was not safe.

Concerns around the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund have also outraged firefighters in the union.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson met with CFA volunteers in Euroa, located in central Victoria, on Wednesday to spruik her promise to scrap the hiked Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund.

Ms Wilson said the CFA was “utterly under-resourced” and that the ageing fleet was “not safe”.

“The trucks here today are older than what I am,” Ms Wilson, 35, said.

“It is abundantly clear that when the volunteers step up onto those trucks to protect their local communities and put their lives at risk they are not safe.”

The Allan government recently purchased 50 new CFA trucks following years of pleas from volunteers but they will not be ready for this summer.

Originally published as Peter Marshall claims Allan government’s new velodrome unsafe for firefighters, community