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Winnindoo CFA fire station funding reannounced in 2025-26 Budget, despite original 2020-21 promise unfulfilled

Funding for Winnindoo CFA's new fire station has been re-announced in the 2025-26 Budget - five years after its initial promise, with no progress made and growing community frustration.

By news@gippsland - 4th June 2025 - Back to News

Funding for a new fire station for Winnindoo CFA has been included in the 2025-26 State Budget - the problem is that it was already promised in the 2020-21 state budget. The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien said it beggars belief that five years on from announcing a funding commitment, the Allan Labor government repeated the funding in the latest budget - and the station is still not built.

Danny O'Brien says it's unbelievable the government re-announced funding five years later, claiming it as new emergency services spending

Winnindoo still waiting

Mr O'Brien said, "The Winnindoo community celebrated in 2020 when, after several years of advocating and pleading, it received the news that it would be receiving a new fire station. It's still waiting. The current station does not even have bathroom facilities and it is a poor reflection on the Allan Labor government that it is continuing to muck these invaluable volunteers around."

"This is a station that services not just Winnindoo but is routinely called out to assist with fires in several other areas such as Cowwarr, Flynn, Toongabbie, Heyfield, Seaton and Glenmaggie. Land for the new station was generously donated by a Winnindoo local and previous brigade captain, the late John Hooper many years ago and it is past time for this project to get underway," Mr O'Brien said.

CFA funding failure

Mr O'Brien said it was worrying to see the Allan Labor government now try and claim this as new spending on local emergency services, particularly on the back of its flawed new emergency services tax. "It's extraordinary that our fire services are now costing us significantly more and yet in the country we're getting less service as far as spending on the CFA goes."

"Yarram CFA was also promised a new station with funding in the 2023-24 state budget and yet again the government has announced additional funding for Yarram in this budget - but the station hasn't started! Meanwhile there is still no funding committed for much-needed new fire stations at Mirboo North and Foster," Mr O'Brien said. Mr O'Brien said it was clear Labor cannot manage money and it is local CFA volunteers and the communities they service that are paying the price.

Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Melina Bath said The Nationals will continue standing with regional Victorians and sporting shooting community
  Common sense has prevailed after proposals to cap firearm numbers per licence were scrapped, with Danny O’Brien crediting strong advocacy from law-abiding owners, sporting clubs and shooting organisations across Victoria wide support.
• Newhaven residents invited to shape safer roads, transport and future traffic planning through community feedback until 27 May 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council is seeking Newhaven community feedback on transport and road safety to inform a Local Area Traffic Management Plan improving movement, safety, infrastructure planning and future funding priorities.
• Tim Bull praises local police but urges stronger support and tougher charges for fleeing offenders
  Liberal and Nationals plan promises 3,000 extra Victoria Police officers and reopened stations, aiming to restore community safety and address rising crime across East Gippsland and Victoria.
• Melina Bath urges Allan government to end delays and deliver the long-promised Cape to Cape Plan
  Pressure is growing on the Allan government to end years of delays and release the Cape to Cape Resilience Plan, ensuring urgent coastal protection and reflecting community feedback for Inverloch.
• Darren Chester secures $20,000 to preserve Tambo Valley trenches commemorating Victoria's WWII history
  Darren Chester secured $20,000 funding to preserve the historic Tambo Valley Trenches, enhancing access, safety, and interpretation, while honouring East Gippsland's wartime history and boosting cultural tourism along the Great Alpine Road.
• Tim Bull says rising retail crime reflects Victoria’s weak approach, despite claims of toughest bail laws
  Retail theft is surging in East Gippsland, with repeat offenders emboldened. Tim Bull calls for tougher penalties, accountability, and support for struggling households to protect businesses and local communities.
• Princes Highway $2M upgrade improves safety and access for pedestrians at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna
  Nearly $2 million in joint government funding will upgrade Princes Highway at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna, improving pedestrian safety, access, and traffic flow with new medians, lighting, safety platforms, and path reconstruction.
• Tim Bull says Health Minister Thomas will only consider the fully prepared Buchan project alongside other priorities
  The Allan Labor government has refused funding for the new $6.5 million Buchan Bush Nursing Centre, leaving the ready-to-build project and vital rural healthcare services in limbo, says Tim Bull.
• Check new 11-digit account reference numbers for accurate South Gippsland Water bill payments after July 2025 system upgrade
  South Gippsland Water reminds customers to use their new 11-digit account reference number when paying bills after the July 2025 billing system upgrade. Payments using old numbers will no longer be processed.
• Baw Baw Shire introduces new e-waste units in Warragul and Drouin, funded by Victoria, enabling safe disposal of batteries and electronics
  Baw Baw Shire introduces new e-waste drop-off units in Warragul and Drouin, improving safe battery and electronics recycling for the community.
• New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
  Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing.
• New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
  Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing.
• Darren Chester welcomes Minister Catherine King’s confirmation that the Eastern Beach Road intersection remains a priority
  The federal government has increased funding to $6.6 million for the Lakes Entrance road safety upgrade, but Federal MP Darren Chester says state government delays continue to stall the vital project.
• Latrobe Health Assembly to continue, thanks to strong community support and new independent, community-owned future
  Defunded in the 2025 State Budget, the Latrobe Health Assembly will continue as a leaner, community-owned organisation tackling local health and wellbeing challenges through collaboration and grassroots leadership.