The Woodlea community marked a significant milestone on December 11th with the grand opening of a new Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Unit.
This state-of-the-art facility was officially inaugurated by Interim VICSES CEO Kate White and Member for Kororoit Luba Grigorovitch MP.
Joined by a vibrant gathering of volunteers, staff, and residents, the ceremony underscored the importance of safety and preparedness for this growing suburb.
A Facility Designed for the Future
Located on a 4,800-square-metre site near Frontier Park reserve, the new VICSES Unit is equipped to enhance emergency response capabilities across Woodlea and neighbouring suburbs.
The facility includes six emergency vehicle bays, dedicated training and meeting spaces, modern administrative offices, and advanced communication systems.
More than just a building, this hub is a lifeline for the community, offering a place for volunteers to train, plan, and respond to emergencies effectively.
Unit Controller Micah Spedding and Deputy Controller Selina Albert expressed their excitement about the opening, with Selina highlighting the benefits of on-the-ground training:
“We were able to get the volunteers out into the neighbourhood and train in the environment they will be working in, rather than in a classroom.”
Supporting Local Communities
With capacity for up to 70 volunteers, the Woodlea VICSES Unit is well-prepared to respond to around 500 calls for assistance each year. These requests often involve storm and flood-related emergencies, as well as search and rescue operations.
The new unit also strengthens ties between emergency services and the local community. By situating the facility in the heart of Woodlea, residents gain peace of mind knowing that help is always close by.
A Growing Community with Safety at Its Core
Woodlea is one of Melbourne’s most vibrant master-planned communities. Home to 16,000 residents and expected to grow to 20,500, the suburb offers a mix of modern housing, education, parks, and retail facilities. The addition of the VICSES Unit is another step towards making Woodlea a safe and thriving place to live.
Matthew Dean, Woodlea Project Director, welcomed the new facility:
“Our residents can take comfort knowing that emergency assistance is always close by should they ever need it, thanks to this new location and the hard work of VICSES volunteers.”
Prepared for Tomorrow
The opening of the VICSES Unit in Woodlea represents a commitment to community safety and resilience. By providing advanced facilities and training opportunities, the unit ensures that residents are supported during emergencies, while fostering a stronger connection between volunteers and the people they serve.
This development is a testament to the power of community collaboration and the vision of a safer future for Woodlea and its surroundings.
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