By Victoria Stone-Meadows
Plans for an SES unit to be based in Cranbourne have moved a step closer, with Casey Council deciding on a site for the unit and MP Jude Perera lobbying the State Government for funding.
Casey Council has selected a site in Cyril Beechey Lane, Cranbourne – the old Council Transfer Station site behind the racecourse – as the location for the new unit.
Mr Perera will present the case for funding for a new SES unit to State Parliament as soon as possible.
In his address to parliament, Mr Perera will mention the vast area of Casey that is currently covered by Narre Warren SES that would be better served by a unit based in Cranbourne.
“The nearest SES unit is located in Narre Warren,” Mr Perera’s speech reads.
“I have had reports that there had been several jobs in the southern part of Casey which took teams more than 40 minutes to attend.”
“The SES is desperately in need of a second depot in the southern part of Casey, to serve the rapidly expanding electorate of Cranbourne and its surrounds.”
Councillor Steve Beardon, who has been working with Mr Perera to establish a new SES unit in Casey, said there was no shortage of people who would volunteer to be a member of a Cranbourne SES unit.
“There are many people in Cranbourne who are keen to be part of everything in Cranbourne,” he said.
“I don’t think we will have any problems filling the unit with volunteers; we have lots of young people who are happy to support our community.”
The majority of the Casey region is currently serviced by the Narre Warren SES, which has been in operation for 10 years.
Unit Controller for Narre Warren SES Clinton Brown said another unit in the Casey region would greatly improve their capacity to serve and help the growing population of the region.
“It’s really about trying to service the ever growing southern corridor, specifically the Warneet, Clyde, Pearcedale, and surrounding areas,” he said.
“In our current capacity, it takes us about 30 or 40 minutes even with red and blue flashing lights on the main roads to get a job in the southern parts of Casey.”
Mr Brown also said it would mean a greater pool of volunteers to draw from to increase the numbers of SES members in the region.
“The other big thing is it opens up opportunities for volunteers from that area,” he said.
“For someone in Clyde or Warneet, it takes 30 minutes to get to the unit station in Narre Warren so it is not feasible for them to get to a job.”
City of Casey Mayor Councillor Sam Aziz said a new SES unit in the Casey region would greatly improve the safety of residents.
“Our emergency service personnel do an amazing job protecting lives and property in our great city,” he said.
“But it’s clear our growing population will put unsustainable pressures on our community’s safety if the number of first responders don’t keep pace.”
“A Cranbourne SES unit would reduce the burden on Narre Warren and provide essential community protection in times of emergency.”
Mr Perera will be setting up a petition to gather more support from local residents and through his Facebook page that residents are encouraged to sign and support.
“If they are planning to start a petition we are happy to support it,” Mr Brown said.
“We urge people to get behind it and there for people to register their interest.”
