Council & Politics
10 September, 2025
Minister visits local brigades
EMERGENCY Services Minister Vicky Ward joined Ripon MP Martha Haylett recently to inspect two new firefighting vehicle deployed to Pyrenees Shire.
More than $620,000 has been committed by the Victorian government for new vehicles in Avoca and Raglan.
The Avoca Fire Brigade have recently received a new heavy tanker totalling $430,000.
In addition, the Raglan brigade have recently received a new light tanker totalling $222,500 from the Victorian Government.
The Government contributed $193,333 with the Raglan brigade contributing an additional $29,167 for the vehicle.
Both brigades remain extremely active in their local communities.
The Avoca brigade has 53 members, 29 of them are operational.
The brigade is made up of 36 men and 17 women. They attend approximately 50 call outs per year and assists neighbouring areas.
The Raglan brigade has 48 members – 29 men and 19 women. 20 of them are operational.
In the last calendar year, the Raglan brigade responded to a total of 54 incidents, mainly fire and explosions, motor vehicle accidents and rescues.
Ms Haylett said it was a productive meeting with the minister and representatives of both brigades.
“It was really special for the Minister and I to catch up with volunteers and thank them for their contributions.”
“The Raglan and Avoca fire brigades work tirelessly to keep our region safe. They have had an extremely hard few years with the Bayindeen fires, Grampians fires, and others. They deserve the very best trucks and that’s what they now have.”
“Both brigades are growing, and these new tankers will help protect volunteer members more, whilst also protecting the community,” Ms Haylett said.
Read More: Avoca