Gippsland East MP Tim Bull has lashed out at the Victorian Government’s recent allocation of $700,000 for planning a new Lakes Entrance CFA station, labelling the move a “waste of taxpayers’ money” that fails to commit to actual construction.
Mr Bull told Parliament the new location of the station is known, the type of facility to be built (2C) is known as it’s a standard CFA design, and we know the cost for this build is $7.5 million – so why on earth spend $700,000 on planning.”This appears just another waste of taxpayers’ money, and we know the Labor Government is very good at that.”
Mr Bull said prior to the 2022 election, the community was advised by the government the announcement of funding for the full station “was imminent”.
However, here we are four years’ later, and we are only getting planning money.
“The Lakes Entrance CFA needs its new station now, not another round of paperwork and consultants.”
Mr Bull said the community has known for years that the existing facility is overcrowded, outdated and no longer fit for purpose.
“The station does not have adequate space, and this has been the case for years as the community grows. Despite these shortcomings, the brigade continues to protect not only Lakes Entrance, but communities across the wider district.
“The station has been identified as the highest priority for the region, so why is only planning money being announced?
“Planning money without a commitment to build risks becoming little more than a holding pattern,” he said.
