LEITCHVILLE and district residents will benefit from the construction of a new fire brigade if the Liberal-Nationals Coalition is elected in November’s State election.
In what is the first local promise to be made in what will be a lengthy campaign, Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh announced on Thursday that if elected on November 24, a Matthew Guy-led government will allocate $500,000 for the construction of the town’s new fire station.
The current facility – located on land surrounded by King Albert and Findlay avenues, as well as McKay Street – is too small for modern infrastructure, with the brigade unable to obtain a new tanker unless upgrades occur.
“The town is still in the doldrums following the closure of the dairy plant, but this project will show the town is coming back to life,” the brigade’s first lieutenant, Neil Fry said.
“The brigade is located in a focal point of the town. People usually say to people ‘drive to the fire station and either turn left or right’.”
Brigade members have lobbied for the past 11 years for an upgrade, with the need for a new tanker to replace the group’s 27-year-old model – as well as an increasing number of female members – highlighting the importance of the project.
“The area is turning in colour from green to brown, and with so many irrigation channels now being covered and turned into pipes, we do not have the ability to head to a fire and place a hose in an irrigation channel,” Mr Fry said.
The proposed facility, to be built on the site of the current headquarters, will include two truck bays, a community meeting room and upgraded kitchens.
“The Leitchville CFA not only protects our local community, they also actively support others sending available volunteers for strike teams to fight bushfires in other fire districts,” Mr Walsh said.
“New facilities will help the Leitchville brigade to attract and retain volunteers and better support the next generation of firefighters.”
