Koondrook has a problem – the town is growing so fast and becoming so popular, it is in danger of outstripping the ability of its fire brigade to guarantee its protection.

And not because there are not enough firefighters.

The brigade has 22 members with an amazing 17 of them fully rated to attend all classes of fire – they just don’t have the equipment they need to protect their community.

It is a problem The Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, took to the floor of the Victorian Parliament last week in a bid to solve the problem before there is a crisis.

Mr Walsh says while this strategically located brigade needs a range of gear, its most vital requirement is a pumper truck and the backup breathing apparatus which comes with it, so it has the capacity to access water supplies at fire scenes beyond the limited volumes in its existing single vehicle.

He says the Murray River town is now the fastest growing community in the Gannawarra Shire, and a growing population places even more demand on all frontline responders.

Brigade captain Ben Watts agrees, saying Koondrook has been trying for the past three years to get a pumper because of the ongoing development of the town.

Ben says adding to the pressure is the very strength of his brigade, prompting the CFA to want to include it as a part of regional strike teams.

“If that happens, and our one truck goes out of the town, we have nothing to offer if there is an urgent call in Koondrook itself,” he explains.

“But if we had the pumper, and we will happily take a second hand one like our main unit, we would be able to help out in bigger fires and still make sure Koondrook is covered,” he says.

“We have also been expanding our station, and that work should be done in the next few weeks, giving us another truck bay so the pumper could be securely stored, as well as giving us a dedicated turnout room for the first time – currently we all change in the main shed alongside the truck.

“The government gave us two thirds of the money for this work, and we raised the rest, so we are all set up to receive a pumper as soon as possible.”

Mr Walsh says Koondrook is a town which has an excellent kindergarten and primary school, strong community support and great amenity, which is why more and more people are choosing to move to there and call it their home.

He says in smaller regional towns such as this one, “the local CFA brigade is the very fabric of community life, it sits at the core of every strong community.

“Which is why, with the town growing this quickly, Ben has come to me – more than once – to continually raise with me the needs of his members as they train for the day everyone hopes will never arrive,” Mr Walsh added.

“But if, or mostly likely when, it does arrive, the brigade wants to know it has the equipment and technology to keep the community safe,” he added.

“I can’t put it any simpler, Koondrook CFA needs at least one additional unit to keep themselves – and everyone else, safe.” 

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 30 November 2023.