
THE pleas of Port Fairy's embattled SES volunteers have been heard with $4 million earmarked for a new facility in the 2021 Victorian Budget.
The unit had been crying out for state government funding for a new home for the past eight years.
Port Fairy SES Unit controller Stephen McDowell said it was a long battle won.
"We're absolutely ecstatic, it really is an important day for the Port Fairy community and other communities we serve around Port Fairy," Mr McDowell said.
"It's also very important for our volunteers for their morale and the fact that we can actually grow the unit and provide the service which is increasing every year, so it's really important we continue to provide that to the community.
"We can't use our current facilities so we've got some interim measures in place to continue to be operational.
"Today's announcement is really welcome and we want the community to be assured we will be responding all the way through until this project is actually completed.
"We didn't see this coming so it's been a real shot in the arm, so to speak.
"It's been a long time coming but the rewards are really at the end and it really was our aim to stay patient and wait for the good news."
The Port Fairy SES unit was officially declared homeless last week after its Sackville Street base was condemned.
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The unit is seeking a place to house its emergency vehicles while the new site is built.
"I guess what we are looking for now is some type of building or shedding in Port Fairy that we can house our vehicles in.
"Otherwise we've pretty much got everything else covered so if anybody out there has anything in the way of a shed or building they could provide us please contact us and we'd be happy to have a chat to them."
Western Victoria MP Gayle Tierney said the project had been at the top of her list "for a long time".
"We'll keep a really close eye on the build as we keep coming past and can't wait to be here to cut the ribbon and celebrate this great new facility with the Port Fairy community," she said.

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