VICSES Bannockburn Unit set for brand-new headquarters boost

A brand-new, state-of-the-art headquarters for Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Bannockburn Unit is on the horizon, after the purchase of new land for the facility was officially announced today.

VICSES Bannockburn Unit Controller Blake Shawcross and unit volunteers joined Minister for Emergency Services Vicki Ward on Wednesday to celebrate the acquisition of land, with the unit’s new building to feature important amenities such as dedicated training spaces and wellbeing areas.

The facility will also feature modern turnout spaces and improved on-site storage for vehicles and equipment to allow volunteers to better train, prepare and attend emergencies in their community.

The state-of-the-art headquarters will be constructed using environmentally sustainable materials, and include solar panels, water recycling functions and insulation.

Occurring as a result of the Victorian Government’s $26 million 2023-24 Delivering Emergency Services Upgrades initiative, the new facility will be constructed as a result of close collaboration between VICSES Bannockburn Unit stakeholders and the Community Safety Building Authority, to ensure the build meets current and future operational requirements.

 Formed in 1977, VICSES Bannockburn Unit volunteers have responded to 3000 requests for assistance since the unit’s inception, and the unit currently boasts 30 operational volunteers.

The unit has played an important role in responding to significant events across Victoria, including lending support during the Ash Wednesday Fires of 1983 and the 2010-11 Victorian floods. The unit has aided interstate deployments in recent years, sending volunteers to support during the 2022 floods in Sydney and Lismore.

The new headquarters is currently in the design phase, with a construction tender expected to be released later this year.

Quotes attributable to VICSES Acting Chief Officer Operations, Alistair Drayton.

“Our VICSES Bannockburn Unit volunteers play a vital role in supporting their community, they are incredibly hard-working, dedicated and highly trained, and once this new facility is built, we look forward to being able to welcome more community members to the unit to join as volunteers and support their community during times of emergency.

“The purpose-built facility will showcase the dedication and commitment of our VICSES volunteers to their community, facilitate the growth of local services, and aid in attracting and retaining new volunteers.”