Community
5 February, 2026
Brigade’s push for parliament response
“Where’s the money for our shed? Let’s keep turning up the pressure. Email the emergency services minister.”
THE PRESSURE continues for Charlton to finally have an appropriate place to house its CFA tanker.
Since 2021, the brigade has had to house its 2020 Iveco Eurocargo Tanker at the back of Walsh Motors, which is 450m from the fire brigade station.
The brigade has called for a new, more fit-for-purpose station to be built on the ground that had been purchased back in 2022, but ground is yet to be broken.
And to say frustrations from the brigade and community had mounted is an understatement.
“It’s not good enough Jacinta,” Charlton CFA captain Craig Walsh said.
“For five years we have had to station the tanker off site.
“Where’s the money for our shed? Let’s keep turning up the pressure. Email the emergency services minister.”
Member for Mildura Jade Benham contrinued her support for the brigade, saying the delay in the build could “put response times at risk”.
“Our firefighters are being asked to operate from a station that is outdated, undersized and unsuitable for a modern emergency service,” she said.
“I first raised this issue in Parliament in 2023 and have repeatedly raised it with the Minister for Emergency Services.
“Yet, the Allan Labor Government has cut CFA funding by $55 million in real terms since 2020, as communities like Charlton continue to struggle for basic, fit-for-purpose facilities.”
Read More: Charlton