The tender process for the Port Fairy State Emergency Services' new headquarters should be fast-tracked, according to Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell.
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The state government has committed $4 million for a new facility in its 2021 budget.
In parliament last week Ms Britnell said a month after the funding announcement, the project had still not been sent for tender. "That is despite the design work being finished and the project literally being shovel ready," Ms Britnell said.
"All they were waiting for was funding to get the project started. I didn't think I'd have to speak on this topic again for a while - but here we are one month after funding was delivered after six years of lobbying, and we've already hit a snag."
SES volunteers do not have a home base, with the building condemned in May.
"Highlighting just how bad the condition actually was - the ceiling has now collapsed, a week or so after the unit moved out," Ms Britnell said. She said said the Acting Minister for Emergency Services needed to step in and get the process sped up.
"This is now getting ridiculous," Ms Britnell said.
"The CFA building on the new site is already under construction, the SES and CFA will be sharing many of those facilities," she said.
"Surely there is a way to get this process sped up so that the Port Fairy SES have a chance of moving into their new home at the same time as the CFA brigade."
A state government spokeswoman said construction on the new headquarters was expected to begin in 2022.
"Victoria's emergency services volunteers work incredibly hard to protect lives and properties across the state, keeping the community safe during times of emergency and by supporting other agencies," the spokeswoman said. "That's why we're investing $28 million from the Victorian State Budget 2021-22 towards upgrading local facilities, including a new facility for VICSES Port Fairy, so that our emergency services have the facilities and resources they need to continue their work.
"We're getting on with the job of building the new VICSES Port Fairy project as soon as possible - starting with a comprehensive tender process to ensure the most qualified builder is engaged to deliver this important community project."
When funding was announced for the new headquarters, Port Fairy SES unit controller Stephen McDowell said it was a long battle won. "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," Mr McDowell said.