CFA is inviting the local community to drop by the Park Orchards Farmers Market to look over the building plans and also have the opportunity to talk with firefighters.
Residents can view the plans for the state-of-the-art building at the Park Orchards Farmers Market on Saturday, 20 June, with fire trucks also on hand as a drawcard for families with ‘little ones’ in tow.
With planning permits issued by Manningham City Council recently, construction on the new station is likely to start within the next few weeks.
Operations Officer Mark Kennedy said CFA members would be available at the market between 9am and 1pm to answer questions from the community about the station and construction and will be at the Farmers Market each month.
“The station will have three bays and a total floor area of 1200 square metres across two floors – it will give us a bigger and more modern facility,” he said.
“It’s been an extensive process to get where we are now – we’ve had community consultation across a 12-month period and before that a four-year search for the right location. But the upshot is we’re very confident of the location and design.”
Mr Kennedy added the station design would incorporate purpose-built dormitories and work areas to accommodate career firefighters who will staff the station around the clock.
South Warrandyte Captain Greg Kennedy said that the full-time firefighters would be able to respond within 90 seconds of a call, meaning better service delivery for residents.
“The change will benefit households in Greater Warrandyte area and also areas like Donvale, Park Orchards, North Ringwood, Doncaster, Warranwood and Croydon Hills,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to moving into the new station and getting on with what we’re here to do, which is protecting the community and providing the best service we possibly can.”
“The new site on Falconer Road would bring the brigade closer to the centre of Warrandyte," Greg Kennedy said.
Mark Kennedy said South Warrandyte volunteer members and surrounding CFA brigades would continue to protect lives and property in the area during and after the construction of the station.
“Volunteers are and always will be an essential part of our response,” he said.
“In the long term, having career firefighters based at the station will take a lot of pressure off brigade members and their families and employers in an area with a big commuter population."
There are currently 34 CFA brigades around the State with career firefighters working alongside volunteers – located in high-growth areas, provincial centres or areas with a risk-based need.
Author: CFA Media