Construction starts for a new Wyndham Vale Station

Wyndham Vale Fire Brigade with CO Jason Heffernan, Cpt Trevor Weston, ACFO Tony Field, Minister Vicki Ward, MP John Lister and Cr Peter Maynard

 

Construction has commenced on a new modernised fire station for members of the Wyndham Vale Fire Brigade, with an official turning of the sod ceremony marking the occasion this week.

 

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan joined CFA Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tony Field, Wyndham Vale Captain Trevor Weston, members, and dignitaries at the new site to observe the start of the works on Saturday, 5 April.

The new Wyndham Vale Fire Station being developed at Armstrong Road, Manor Lakes will replace the existing nearby station currently at Ballan Road, Manor Lakes that houses three appliances and 42 volunteers.

Wyndham Vale Captain Trevor Weston said the brigade is excited to mark the start of the highly anticipated building process and expand their brigade offering.

“It is great to see some progress on the site. We’ve been in the temporary location for some time now and the fit-for-purpose building is going to be a fantastic benefit for both the brigade and our community,” Trevor said.

“At the moment we only have a small kitchenette and have been testing hoses and washing our fire trucks out the front of the station, so the bigger space is going to make such a difference for not only safety purposes but also accessibility.

“We’ve got a significant number of people keen to join the brigade and we’re hopeful we can get a junior program up and running, so we’re really pleased to have a space to grow the brigade further.

“We’ll be able to have more firefighters on the ground to respond and more community educators out and about to raise awareness at events.”

The new urban station will feature a motor room with three drive-in bays, storage space, operational areas and a multipurpose room. Outside, members will have use of a carpark, and a four-bay external storage shed.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the new amenities within the station will help the brigade’s response to cater for the fast-expanding community in Wyndham Vale.

“It’s also positive to see the inclusion of separate turn-out spaces for men and women and accessible unisex amenities for our volunteers,” Jason said. 

“The station has also been designed with sustainability in mind, with a solar panel system, provision for future installation of an electrical vehicle charging station, rainwater recycling, and water sensitive designs within the landscaping.

“The brigade has averaged 422 callouts a year for the last three, and I have no doubt this new state of the art station will serve both the brigade and the community for many years to come.”

Previously a satellite station of Werribee Fire Brigade, Wyndham Vale was formed in 2011 to proactively address a risk environment with significant urban and population growth.

Brigade members have attended numerous significant incidents and campaign fires including the 2009 and 2019/2020 bushfires.

Construction of the new station is expected to be complete in early 2026.