A new fire station for Lakes Entrance is being prioritised in Council's advocacy to the Victorian Government ahead of the 2026 State Election, with calls for urgent investment in modern, fit-for-purpose emergency services infrastructure to support a growing community and visitor population.
The proposed upgrade would replace the ageing Bulmer Street station, which is now around 90 years old and no longer meets the operational needs of the local brigade.
The current facility is constrained by space limitations that restrict safe vehicle movements, reduce efficiency in emergency response, and require some appliances to be stored off-site - contributing to delayed turnout times.
Lakes Entrance Fire Brigade responds to more than 120 callouts each year, with almost half involving rescues, across Gippsland and the Alpine region. Demand increases significantly during peak tourism periods, when the town's population swells well beyond its permanent population of around 7,000 people.
Council's advocacy highlights that the lack of co-location between emergency services - including CFA, SES and Ambulance Victoria - further limits coordination during major incidents.
Under the proposal, Council is seeking Victorian Government support to progress planning and land acquisition for a purpose-built CFA station, with suitable land already identified and supported by both Council and the community.
Council is also seeking a commitment to fund construction of the new station within the first two years of the next term of government, as well as investigation of future opportunities for co-location of emergency services to improve response coordination.
The benefits of a new facility would include improved safety and response times, on-site storage for all appliances and equipment, dedicated training and volunteer support spaces, and strengthened emergency preparedness and resilience planning for the region.
The existing brigade has been seeking relocation for more than 20 years, with parts of the current station already requiring demolition and rebuilding to remain functional.
Council's advocacy forms part of a broader 2026 State Election priorities package, which is focused on securing investment in critical infrastructure to support community safety, population growth and regional resilience across East Gippsland.
Council's advocacy package includes priority investments in roads, health, housing, flood and drainage infrastructure, sporting facilities, emergency services, forestry transition and public land management, along with reform of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.
