VICSES Heathcote Unit set for state-of-the-art facility upgrade

A brand-new co-located facility for Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Heathcote Unit volunteers and their Country Fire Authority (CFA) partners to share is set to be developed.

Land acquisition was announced on 15 November by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes, with the new facility set to be developed on Herriot Street, a location selected by both VICSES and CFA.

VICSES Heathcote Unit Controller Darren O’Connor and local volunteers joined senior VICSES staff and their CFA counterparts at the site of the new facility on Friday.

Both agencies’ current facilities were severely affected by the October 2022 floods, and have experienced increased demand for emergency support in the ensuring years as the Heathcote area continues to grow.

Designed in conjunction with both VICSES and CFA, the new facility will offer space for a combined 70 volunteers to respond, train and plan for emergencies.

Featuring seven drive-through motor bays and two ancillary sheds, the new development will also offer each agency its own administrative offices, turnout areas, laundry and stand down area as well as shared facilities including a large training room, kitchen and storage areas.

VICSES Heathcote Unit was first established in 1985 and is currently home to 25 volunteers who respond to more than 170 requests for assistance from their community on average each year.

Volunteers are often busy responding to road crash rescues along the Northern Highway and their wider response area, turning out to 10 such incidents so far this calendar year, and have also provided valuable support during several major storm events which have impacted the local region in 2024.

VICSES Heathcote Unit’s CFA neighbours have operated in the local area for more than a century, and currently boast a membership of more than 40.

Funding for the co-located facility has been provided by the Victorian Government, with construction expected to commence in 2025.

Quotes attributable to Kate White, VICSES Interim Chief Executive Officer

“Our VICSES Heathcote Unit volunteers play a critical role in their community, and today’s land dedication to build a new fit-for-purpose facility in 2025 will provide them state-of-the-art amenities to continue to offer that support.

“This will be a co-located facility for both VICSES and CFA volunteers which will only strengthen and refine emergency response for the Heathcote area and surrounds with more space available for members to respond, train and plan for future emergencies.”