The newly constructed Bendigo Fire Station, built at a cost of $2.4 million, has stood empty for four years, raising concerns over the Allan Labor Government’s management of public resources. Originally intended to temporarily house Bendigo firefighters while the existing Hargreaves Street station is upgraded, the new facility remains unused, highlighting significant delays in the redevelopment process.
The need for a new fire station emerged following the recommendations from the Black Saturday Royal Commission in 2016. In 2019, the government announced plans to begin construction on the new station at Murphy Street by mid-2020. Despite these commitments, as of now, planning approvals have not been secured, and work has yet to commence.
The existing Hargreaves Street station, nearly 50 years old, struggles to accommodate the current demands of its staff, housing only six firefighters per shift when it was built. With a team of 12 firefighters now on duty, the station’s inadequacies have become increasingly problematic. According to reports, firefighters have faced significant operational challenges, including changing into their gear in a makeshift facility for five years.
In 2022, the front door of the Hargreaves Street station malfunctioned, forcing fire trucks to exit through the back and requiring traffic management services around the clock for a month. This disruption incurred substantial costs to taxpayers.
The new facility was completed in June 2022, located just three kilometers away from the Hargreaves Street station. Despite its modern design and capabilities, the four-bay station remains unoccupied, effectively abandoned as no timeline for improvements to the Hargreaves site has been announced.
Criticism has emerged from various political figures regarding the government’s handling of this situation. Shadow Minister for Fire Rescue Victoria, Nick McGowan, described the situation as “a scandalous waste of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money.” He emphasized that the delay in upgrading the station shows a failure to address the needs of local firefighters and the community.
“The Labor government’s waste and mismanagement are extraordinary,” McGowan stated. “Firefighters deserve better, and Bendigo residents deserve much stronger fire protection than they are currently getting.”
Adding to the criticism, Gaelle Broad, the Nationals Member for Northern Victoria, expressed concern over the government’s priorities. She highlighted that while millions are spent on an unused station, essential resources for firefighters continue to be neglected. “If millions of dollars can be wasted right under the Premier’s nose in her own electorate, Victorians shouldn’t be surprised that billions are being wasted across the state,” she remarked.
The ongoing delays in the redevelopment of the Bendigo Fire Station come amid broader financial challenges for the state. Victoria’s net debt is projected to reach a record $192.6 billion by 2028-29, increasing at a rate of $1.7 million per hour, according to official estimates.
The empty fire station has become a symbol of inefficiency and a growing concern among residents who rely on effective emergency services. With no clear resolution in sight, the situation calls for urgent attention from the government to ensure that both the firefighters and the community they serve receive the support they deserve.
