A NEW headquarters for the Chelsea unit of the SES will be built in Aspendale with $2.8 million in funding last week allocated to its construction in the 2017-18 state budget.
Chelsea unit controller Ron Fitch welcomed the decision by the state government to provide funding for a new base on the corner of Nepean Highway and Station Street, Aspendale for Chelsea area state emergency services.
Construction is expected to begin next year, subject to Kingston Council approval, with completion estimated as early 2020 at the latest.
“There were times when we thought it may never happen but we never gave up hope and today was the culmination of so much hard work by so many people and to each of them we say a big thank you from all of us,” he said.
The announcement came mere weeks after a fire in a rescue vehicle, blamed on a faulty battery, damaged the unit’s existing headquarters at Bonbeach Reserve, Scotch Parade.
SES volunteers have been sharing resources with their Frankston colleagues while the damage is repaired.
“The Frankston members have been fantastic and have made us feel very welcome but we don’t want to be like that annoying relative who comes to stay for a week and then stays for six months,” Chelsea SES spokesman Phil Wall said.
Mordialloc Labor MP Tim Richardson said the new building will ensure will be able “to continue their outstanding work”.
“Our dedicated volunteers in the Chelsea region do an incredible job,” he said.
“They step up at any time of day or night to help people in their time of need.”
The state government also announced an overhaul of the way SES units across Victoria are funded in last Tuesday’s state budget.
Councils will no longer be expected to pitch in to fund the volunteer units after the Labor state government decided to provide $14.9 million over the next financial year to SES units.
Some councils, but not Kingston Council, had threatened to axe funding to SES units and cited the state government’s rate capping policy as the reason to stop directing ratepayers’ money to the units.
Kingston Council allows Chelsea SES to use the council-owned Bonbeach depot rent free and shares rental costs for Moorabbin SES with Bayside Council.
Council is aware of the Victorian Government’s budget announcement regarding funding increases for the SES but has not yet received official advice regarding additional funding to be provided to our very important local SES units,” Kingston Council city assets and environment general manager Daniel Freer said.
Council contributed about $42,500 in grants to Chelsea SES and about $21,500 to Moorabbin SES in 2015-16.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 10 May 2017
