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Tim Bull criticised CFA office closures in Bairnsdale, warning of increased fire risks and operational challenges

Tim Bull criticised temporary closures of Bairnsdale CFA office amid high fire season risks, calling it unacceptable. He blamed bureaucratic failures and staffing issues for compromising community access and operational response.

By news@gippsland - 20th November 2024 - Back to News

District Country Fire Authority (CFA) captains have been advised the local CFA office in Bairnsdale will be temporarily closed to the public for periods over the next few weeks, and phone calls may be diverted to other regions. Gippsland East Nationals' MP, Tim Bull, said this was a disgraceful outcome on the cusp of a fire season forecast to be worse than average.

Tim Bull urged the Minister to intervene, citing CFA volunteer losses, rising bush fuel loads, and inadequate office operations during critical fire seasons

Fire risk concerns

Mr Bull said, "Just weeks ago in Parliament, we were told by the State's fire chiefs that the landscape was drier than normal in many areas and with a forecast of a higher incidence of storms, fire risk was above average this summer and communities needed to be vigilant."

"Now, just a fortnight later, the CFA captains receive an email saying the office will be closed at times and calls may be diverted. On any scale this is simply not good enough. East Gippsland is officially recognised as being in the top three most fire prone areas in the world and the local CFA office front door will be closed as summer commences. It sounds like an episode of Utopia," he said.

CFA service disruption

Mr Bull said he was advised the issue stems back to a secondment agreement between Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and the CFA, and under that 2020 agreement, the CFA must secure all its paid firefighters from FRV. However, some positions were never filled and whenever someone goes on leave, or is unable to work, the situation worsens as holes are created and not filled.

"The reason is irrelevant, it is simply bureaucratic rubbish that does not consider the community. Locals should be able to walk into their local CFA office and talk to a person face to face at this time of the year, not be greeted with locked doors because someone is away.

"A CFA spokesman was reported in the media saying this 'would not impact CFA's operational response and ability to protect their communities'. Rubbish! When the door is locked and calls are diverted, it most certainly does impact your response to the public," said Mr Bull.

CFA crisis response

Mr Bull also said, "I called on the Minister, in Parliament, to step in and sort the mess out. This is in a period where CFA operational volunteer numbers have plummeted under Labor. In the past few years, the CFA has lost 2192 operational volunteers, leaving it unable to gain the strike teams it requires for campaign fires. And this while the government has allowed bush fuel loads to again reach an all-time high due to a lack of fuel reduction burning."

"The Labor government has overseen a massive reduction in operational volunteers, major fuel load increases and now cannot even keep the doors open or have the phone answered at the office in one of the most fire prone areas in the world. When we struggle to control fires to the level we should be able to, this government will have to take some responsibility for its complete mismanagement," concluded Mr Bull.

Pictures from Bairnsdale Fire Brigade Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Darren Chester has criticised the Albanese government's plan to lower regional speed limits, labelling it "lazy" and urging greater investment in repairing and upgrading unsafe roads to reduce fatalities.
• Danny O'Brien welcomes progress on Sealers Cove track repairs but slams years of Labor delays at Wilsons Prom
  Danny O'Brien welcomed long-overdue progress on Sealers Cove track repairs at Wilsons Prom but criticised Labor for years of delays, saying Gippsland deserves timely investment in vital tourism infrastructure and facilities.
• Allan Labor government misled East Gippsland over Paynesville Road inspections, leaving "rollercoaster" section untested, says Tim Bull
  The Allan Labor government misled East Gippsland by failing to inspect the problematic Paynesville Road section, delaying repairs and leaving the "rollercoaster" stretch untested for nearly three years, says Tim Bull.
• Martin Cameron slams Allan Labor government over year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticised Labor's year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings, after multiple ministerial referrals left residents concerned about neglect, squatters, and ongoing government inaction.
• Danny O’Brien says July-September 2025 data shows Labor continues failing Gippsland’s critical emergency response
  Ambulance Victoria data shows Gippsland response times well below targets, with urgent calls for the Allan Labor government to improve staffing, resources, and performance to protect regional communities.
• Martin Cameron urges Energy Minister to lift outdated coal overlays blocking 2000 new homes in Traralgon
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticised Minister Lily D'Ambrosio for refusing to review outdated coal overlays blocking 2000 new homes in Traralgon, despite studies confirming land stability for development.
• Martin Cameron says community safety has declined under Labor amid rising crime and 1500 Victoria Police vacancies
  Nationals and Liberals pledge 3,000 extra Victoria Police officers and restored station hours under Safer Communities Plan, addressing regional crime concerns, vacancies, and policing shortages across Latrobe Valley.
• Bass Coast Council awards $1.01M contract to restore Wonthaggi heritage-listed old post office
  Bass Coast Shire Council has awarded a $1.01 million contract to TS Constructions to restore Wonthaggi heritage-listed Old Post Office, preserving its historic character and ensuring long-term structural integrity.
• Nicholson Street mall public toilet temporarily closed amid vandalism, anti‑social behaviour and safety concerns
  The Nicholson Street Mall public toilet in Bairnsdale is temporarily closed due to repeated vandalism and anti-social behaviour, with Council working alongside traders, Victoria Police, and stakeholders on safety and revitalisation.
• Yarragon stalwart honoured as Rollo Street Park renamed Angela Malacarne Park community tribute
  Baw Baw Shire Council renamed Rollo Street Park to Angela Malacarne Park, honouring longtime teacher. The redeveloped Yarragon site reopened March 21, unveiling new features with family, councillors and Harriet Shing attending.
• East Gippsland Council urges drivers to follow parking limits, protect access and support local businesses this festive season
  East Gippsland drivers are urged to follow festive-season parking limits, respecting time restrictions, loading zones, and disabled bays to ensure town accessibility and support local businesses.
• Darren Chester confronts Agriculture Minister over European deal, but she won’t call it fair
  The Albanese government’s EU free trade deal has been widely criticised by farmers and industry bodies for weak market access, unfair concessions, and restrictions harming dairy, red meat, and wine sectors.
• The Spirit of the ANZACS honours veterans through music, storytelling and performance at Sale’s Wedge Theatre on 23 April 2026
  Wellington Shire Council and The Wedge Performing Arts Centre invite the community to step back in time with the return of the much-loved production The Spirit of the ANZACS at The Wedge Performing Arts Centre in Sale on 23 April 2026.
• East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth urges vigilance, community support and preparedness during recent extreme heat and bushfire risks
  East Gippsland Mayor acknowledges recent extreme heat, commends community responses, urges vigilance, bushfire preparedness, checking on vulnerable people, accessing support services, and using Vic Emergency app and Emergency Dashboard.
• Gippslander Scott Morris joins national bowel cancer advocacy push at Parliament House in Canberra
  Bairnsdale Scott Morris joined Bowel Cancer Australia's Call on Canberra, sharing his stage four diagnosis to advocate for earlier screening, better treatment pathways, and urgent national action on rising early-onset bowel cancer rates.
• Proposed library and learning centre changes aim to reduce costs while meeting community needs in Baw Baw Shire
  Baw Baw Shire Council proposes adjustments to the Library and Learning Centre, removing basement and timber structure to stay within budget while delivering community, cultural, and co‑working spaces.