Money for Ararat Fire Station
The State Government will build a new $2.25-million Ararat Fire Station as part of a $60-million investment into fire-fighting facilities, training and equipment across the state.
Emergency Services Minister James Merlino visited Ararat last week to make the announcement.
The new station will replace the Ararat Fire Brigade’s Tuson Street building, built in 1970 and unsuitable to meet the volunteer brigade’s future needs.
The history of fire-fighting in Ararat dates back to 1859, when the Ararat Urban Fire Brigade established its original home in a hotel room.
Ararat Rural Fire Brigade formed in 1942 and the two brigades merged in 2006 to form Ararat Fire Brigade.
The brigade has 60 operational as well as 11 auxiliary members.
Members respond, on average, to more than 170 incidents each year, and are also involved in community safety programs such as Brigades in Schools and home fire safety workshops.
Mr Merlino said the government was giving firefighters the necessary assets to respond to emergencies and keep their communities safe.
“The new station in Ararat will be a significant boost to fire services in the region, giving the Ararat Fire Brigade a modern base from which they can respond to emergencies,” he said.