Ongoing construction of Dimboola Fire Station
Dimboola and Warracknabeal Fire Brigades are preparing to relocate to new homes, with construction well underway on new stations for both brigades.
At Dimboola, the main structure for the motor room is up, with cladding and roofing still to be completed.
Dimboola Captain Ash Wallace said when finished, the new station will feature larger training areas, meeting rooms, amenities, storage and more onsite parking for volunteers.
"It will also feature a three-bay wide garage for up to four emergency vehicles, and a dedicated turn-out area," he said.
"We're hoping the new station will attract new members to boost our membership numbers, and it will certainly provide a dose of enthusiasm for our current members too.
"The brigade is extremely appreciative of all parties who contributed, and we've had so much support from the local community and the wider area, with about $54,000 in funding raised while the rear shed was donated to us as well."
Meanwhile the nearby Warracknabeal community is also excited about a new station.
The brigade has completed a walk through of the construction site to ensure data and electrical outlets are all in their correct locations, and Warracknabeal Fire Brigade Captain Cameron Whelan said the erection of steel framework is making the project feel like a reality.
"The two wings are standing with roofing iron on, and include the kitchen, meeting area, and brigade offices on one side and the BA room, laundry, and workshop on the other, while the foundations for the motor room in the middle have also been laid," he said.
"We're building this station for the next 30 years so the vision is not only to support today's needs of Warracknabeal; we're also looking beyond that to what will be required in the future."
The cost of the Dimboola and Warracknabeal stations are approximately $2m and $2.2m respectively including funds raised by the brigade, and are among the 16 new builds funded under the Victorian Government's $126m CFA Capability Package.
Construction on both stations is expected to be complete towards the end of this year.
