Baw Baw Shire Council, together with Bendigo Bank and the Longwarry and District CFA have collaborated to secure funding for the purchase and installation of a 100,000-litre static water tank at the Labertouche CFA Station ahead of the upcoming fire danger period.
Members of the local CFA were keen to show off the new water tank on Friday, which was recently install at the Labertouche CFA station. Mayor of Baw Baw Shire, Councillor Michael Leaney, along with Shannon Egan, Bendigo Bank Community Business Manager, Barry Crees, Chair of the Bunyip and District Community Bank, Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Emma Conway, and Council officers joined the local CFA team members to inspect the new equipment, and hear firsthand the benefits it will provide to the local community.
When speaking on the benefits the static water tank would provide to the local CFA, Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Emma Conway said, "the fire services will have direct access to a bulk water supply, which means our turnaround on to the fire ground is much faster". She added that the new equipment would provide "a sense of security for this part of the world. It can become isolated, and it's really important that we have some sort of supply so that if we do become isolated, we can deal with things locally".
The need for a static water supply in the Labertouche region was highlighted following the devastating 2019 bushfires that impacted the Bunyip State Park and surrounding townships. Many trucks responding to the remote areas of the Shire were faced with limited accessibility to constant and reliable water mains.
Through Bendigo Bank's Gippsland Bushfire Grants Program, the Longwarry and District Fire Brigade sought funding for the community-led project. Council worked closely to support both parties throughout the grant process, with permit assistance and acquittals to ensure the funding was received and coordinated seamlessly.
"Having that local connection between Council, the CFA and organisations like the Bendigo Bank means that we can have the conversations about the opportunities that come up", Emma continued to say.
CFA Labertouche was successfully awarded $12,800 in grant funding from Bendigo Bank in 2020 to purchase and install the crucial community asset. The tank was installed in September and is currently operating at full capacity.
As part of the program, a partnering tank was also installed within Latrobe City for CFA access within the Jumbuk area.
The 100,000lt tank has capacity to provide consistent water supply for not only the Longwarry and District Fire Brigade, but also surrounding districts leading into the fire danger period.
Quote attributable to Mayor Cr Michael Leaney
"This is a fantastic example of community spirit coming together to deliver a project. We thank Bendigo Bank for the funding that enabled the Longwarry and District Fire Brigade to purchase and install the new tank. I also thank the CFA representatives involved in the coordination with Council to ensure the project was delivered smoothly.
This is a brilliant new community asset at CFA Labertouche and I trust in the benefits it will provide for our more remote areas within the Shire."
Image: L-R Bendigo Bank Community Business Manager Shannon Egan, CFA members Mark Needham, Jim Wilson, Noel Galley, Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Emma Conway, Chair of the Bunyip and District Community Bank Barry Crees, CFA member Ian Grace, Council Recovery officer Mike Shaw and Mayor Michael Leaney.
