CFA land swap

A NEW Springvale Fire Station and an emergency services precinct are a step closer, thanks to a land swap between the CFA and City of Greater Dandenong.
The council at its 22 July meeting agreed to exchange neighbouring blocks on Springvale Road so the brigade’s facilities could expand.
CFA southern metropolitan regional director Peter Schmidt said Springvale Fire Brigade was among CFA’s busiest, with volunteers and career staff turning out to more than 1000 incidents every year.
“The current station, built in the 1980s, has served us well but is nearing the end of its life,” he said.
The station is on 518 Springvale Road, Springvale, which will be exchanged for a portion of land on the Spring Valley Reserve – just north of the existing station.
Mr Schmidt said the new site was nearly twice as large and would allow for a new integrated station, which already has State Government funding.
“This means we will be pushing forward with building plans in close consultation with key stakeholders such as the Springvale brigade members,” he said.
City of Greater Dandenong mayor Angela Long said the council was pleased to partner with the CFA to ensure the Springvale station would continue to provide the highest standard of fire services to the region.
“Council will continue to discuss the potential for SES and Ambulance Victoria to operate from the existing CFA station to create an emergency services precinct and enhance the ability of all services to actively work together,” she said.
The council had accommodated the SES in View Road, Springvale, for many years but the Springvale Civic Precinct Masterplan works saw the site demolished.
The crew’s in new temporary premises in Mills Road, Dandenong, which are not a suitable permanent base.
Ambulance Victoria shares the current fire station but won’t be able to move with the CFA, so the council said it could negotiate a lease to stay put.