‘Go’ for fire station

By Kath Gannaway
WARBURTON Fire Brigade got the go ahead from council on Tuesday night to build a new satellite station at East Warburton.
Warburton CFA captain Maurice Dell welcomed the decision saying it would provide faster response times and provide better and safer facilities for volunteers.
Local residents rallied against the new station when it was first proposed back in July saying the location of the station in Surman Avenue was a potential danger to primary school students nearby.
Three objections and a petition signed by 42 people were lodged against the application but no objectors spoke at the meeting.
Mr Dell said the council decision was good news for the brigade with about 50 per cent of its members living in the East Warburton area.
“The existing shed needs to have a lot of money spent on it to bring it up to standard and it’s just not big enough for the bigger vehicles we are using now.
“It will provide better amenities, including toilets, which we don’t have at the moment.”
Addressing concerns of residents, Mr Dell said he believed a consultation meeting held with residents had alleviated many of their fears.
“We emphasised then and will continue to emphasise that with all drivers going to the fire station, everybody is bound by the same road rules and speeding is not tolerated.
“If there are any complaints, residents can be assured they will be taken up and dealt with seriously,” he said.
One of the conditions of the permit is the installation of a light pole with a flashing light at a height which will be visible to the schoolchildren and parents crossing the Woods Point Road and Surman Avenue intersection.
Another clause requires a warning light and siren, which will operate for a limited time if vehicles are required to leave the station during school pick-up and drop-off times.
Councillors Samantha Dunn and Jeanette McRae gave their unreserved support to the application.
“I wholeheartedly support this. It’s in a great spot and will help the local community in terms of response times and facilities for the volunteers,” Cr Dunn said.
“The area has great sight lines and I think any of the concerns raised in terms of traffic and pedestrian safety have been addressed in the conditions.
“You also have to remember that these drivers are trained and have to abide by the road rules along with everyone else,” she said.
Objector Rosemary Mace however says she will continue to lobby for further safety measures including flashing 40 kilometre signs on Woods Point Road on either side of the school crossing.
“We will continue to fight this until the shire and the CFA can give us something to make absolutely sure the kids are safe,” she said.