Construction for Pyalong Fire Brigade’s new fire station is well underway, with the first sod already turned and a concrete pour soon to follow.
Situated in a prime location on the corner of the Northern Highway and Eades Way, the new fire station will boast a new car park, two-bay storage shed, motor room with two reverse-in bays, storage spaces, operational areas, a multipurpose room, and separate turn-out spaces for men and women volunteers.
While the new station is an exciting step forward for the 87-year-old brigade, it has been a long time coming for the volunteers and community, whose current fire station is a small tin shed located on Power Street, with little room for the brigade’s two tankers and no toilet amenities.
But next year, the 20-year wait for shiny, new, and fit-for-purpose amenities will be over, and Pyalong Fire Brigade First Lieutenant Ben Missen hoped that the new site would attract even more volunteers to add to their 44-strong operational member list.
“I’m excited, yeah. It’s been a long time coming,” he said.
“[We have] a lot of problems with the old shed. We had to rip half of the offices down to accommodate the new tanker, so we’ve got no actual offices over there, or a toilet, or a shower.
“[The new site will be] a bit more welcoming for the newer members of the community, which is what we’re after.
“We’re always on the hunt for more volunteers. We’re hoping a nice, new, shiny shed will entice people to come across.”
Pyalong Fire Brigade Captain Brendan Kelly echoed Mr Missen’s sentiments, sharing a light-hearted view on the current station’s challenges.
“It’s good to finally see progress—we’ve only been asking for it for 20 years. It’ll bring us up to date—we’ll at least have toilet facilities,” he laughed.
Offices at Pyalong CFA’s current station had to be demolished to make way for their new tanker, but their new station will boast ample storage space for both tankers.
“We’ve only got a little shed where we are, and when you park the tankers next to each other, you’ve got to be careful when you open the door you don’t give it a supermarket bingle.”
The new station will be located at 3 Eades Way, Pyalong.
The new station will see the State Government invest more than $3.3 million into the project, with an initial investment of $830,000 delivered through the Country Fire Authority’s (CFA) Capability Program, and the brigade itself contributing $60,000.
The remainder of the funds will stem from the Emergency Services Organisation Infrastructure (ESOI) initiative.
CFA Acting Commander of the Mitchell Shire District 12 Group Paul Brislin praised the State Government’s investment into the station.
“I think it’s important to recognise the government’s investment here,” he said.
“This facility is going to future-proof the brigade for many years to come. It’ll allow the brigade to grow.
“We’re constricted by the size of the [current] station and lack of amenities, but this brings everything to the table.”
Construction of the new station is expected to be completed mid-2025.
