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Wyndham Vale Fire Brigade with CO Jason Heffernan, Cpt Trevor Weston, ACFO Tony Field, Minister Vicki Ward, MP John Lister and Cr Peter Maynard

Construction has commenced on a new modernised fire station for members of the Wyndham Vale Fire Brigade, with an official turning of the sod ceremony marking the occasion this week.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan joined CFA Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tony Field, Wyndham Vale Captain Trevor Weston, members, and dignitaries at the new site to observe the start of the works on Saturday, 5 April.

The new Wyndham Vale Fire Station being developed at Armstrong Road, Manor Lakes will replace the existing nearby station currently at Ballan Road, Manor Lakes that houses three appliances and 42 volunteers.

Wyndham Vale Captain Trevor Weston said the brigade is excited to mark the start of the highly anticipated building process and expand their brigade offering.

“It is great to see some progress on the site. We’ve been in the temporary location for some time now and the fit-for-purpose building is going to be a fantastic benefit for both the brigade and our community,” Trevor said.

“At the moment we only have a small kitchenette and have been testing hoses and washing our fire trucks out the front of the station, so the bigger space is going to make such a difference for not only safety purposes but also accessibility.

“We’ve got a significant number of people keen to join the brigade and we’re hopeful we can get a junior program up and running, so we’re really pleased to have a space to grow the brigade further.

“We’ll be able to have more firefighters on the ground to respond and more community educators out and about to raise awareness at events.”

The new urban station will feature a motor room with three drive-in bays, storage space, operational areas and a multipurpose room. Outside, members will have use of a carpark, and a four-bay external storage shed.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the new amenities within the station will help the brigade’s response to cater for the fast-expanding community in Wyndham Vale.

“It’s also positive to see the inclusion of separate turn-out spaces for men and women and accessible unisex amenities for our volunteers,” Jason said. 

“The station has also been designed with sustainability in mind, with a solar panel system, provision for future installation of an electrical vehicle charging station, rainwater recycling, and water sensitive designs within the landscaping.

“The brigade has averaged 422 callouts a year for the last three, and I have no doubt this new state of the art station will serve both the brigade and the community for many years to come.”

Previously a satellite station of Werribee Fire Brigade, Wyndham Vale was formed in 2011 to proactively address a risk environment with significant urban and population growth.

Brigade members have attended numerous significant incidents and campaign fires including the 2009 and 2019/2020 bushfires.

Construction of the new station is expected to be complete in early 2026. 

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source:

CO Jason Heffernan, Cpt Greg Archer, MP John Lister, Minister Vicki Ward, Mick Webb, Garry Green, Cr Peter Maynard, Belinda Webb

Little River Fire Brigade has officially received the keys to their new Ultralight Tanker, celebrating the modernised addition to the engine bay alongside fellow members and family.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan joined dignitaries at the fire station to handover the vehicle to eager brigade members on Saturday morning (5 April).

Little River Captain Greg Archer said the new Ultralight will be a valuable addition to the brigade’s fleet, as it is more agile and allows access to narrow areas that they often encounter.

“All members will be able to safely head to the fireground now in this vehicle after completing training. You also only require a car licence as opposed to a truck licence which opens it up to more drivers,” Greg said.

“This will allow for a more efficient response to protect the community and an increase in attendance to emergencies.

“Enhanced features like the improved lighting and the live hose reel have already been a big help on our callouts. 

“It will also be a great resource to have with our Heavy Tankers during our incident responses, but also when deployed to strike teams for campaign bushfires, much like those we attended recently in the Grampians, Beaufort and Dereel.”

The new Ultralight Tanker holds 550L of water with a Class A Foam System, a pump and other vital firefighting equipment.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the new Ultralight Tanker incorporates a crew protection system to help ensure volunteers have the best possible chance of survival during a burnover.

“The brigade members will be protected with a compressed air foam external deluge system, radiant heat shield curtains, and fire blankets,” Jason said.

“It also allows the brigade to stow and display items in larger internal cabs, lockers and on aluminium trays.

“The brigade’s response area covers one of the biggest in the district, including small acreage farm lets, grassland reserves, freeways and railway lines. The community will benefit greatly from the brigade’s enhanced capability with this refreshed vehicle.”

The new Ultralight was purchased through the Victorian Government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).

To secure the funding, the brigade of 29-members, contributed over $11,350 through fundraising, BBQs and tin rattling, with assistance from Bendigo Bank Lara who donated a further $12,000.

Four brigade members were also acknowledged on the day for their dedicated years of service, receiving awards that spanned up to 55 years of community contribution.

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: New South Wales – News

At 7.30pm Friday 4 April, police attended at Copas Drive Salisbury after reports from a pilot that he had just had a bright light internationally shinned at his aircraft causing issues with visibility.

Northern District patrols attended at the address and caught the man in the front yard of the address shining the light in the direction of the plane.

Police searched the property and located a high-powered torch and a taser.

The 58- year-old man was arrested and has been charged with prejudice safe operation of an aircraft and possess dangerous article.

He has been bailed to appear at the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on 16 May.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has charged a 34-year-old man in relation to alleged sexual intercourse with a young person. 

The man was an employee at a Top End school, and is alleged to have been having sexual intercourse with a student enrolled at the same school. The man is not a member of the teaching staff. 

The alleged offender was arrested yesterday and has been charged with Sexual intercourse – young person (by person in position of authority).

He was remanded in custody overnight to appear in Darwin Local Court today. 

Detectives from the Child Abuse Taskforce are continuing to investigate.  

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information after an aggravated robbery occurred in Coolalinga overnight.

Around 11:20pm, police received reports that a 16-year-old male was allegedly threatened with an edged weapon for his keys and wallet outside a gym on Fairweather Crescent.

The male and female offenders subsequently fled the scene in the victim’s Mitsubishi Outlander.

Strike Force Trident have carriage and investigations are ongoing.

Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25091342. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred in Alice Springs earlier today.

Around 11:15am, a 24-year-old female reported to police that she had been assaulted by a group of three while she was walking along Larapinta Drive near Bloomfield Street at around 11am.

It is alleged that an adult male, a male teenager and a female teenager approached the victim and attempted to take her handbag. The victim was pulled to the ground in the struggle and the offenders allegedly kicked her repeatedly to the head and stomped on her lower leg.

One of the offenders allegedly stole cash from the victim’s handbag before the group fled towards the Alice Springs CBD.

A motorist driving past stopped and rendered assistance to the victim, who was subsequently conveyed to Alice Springs Hospital for treatment.

The offenders remain outstanding, and investigations are ongoing.

Police urge anyone with information, including those with CCTV footage or dash cam footage, to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P25091793. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 53-year-old male in relation to driving and drug offences in Nakara last week.

Early last week, police received a number of reports in relation to vehicles hooning and conducting burnouts on the residential streets of Nakara and Casuarina areas.

On Wednesday 26 March 2025, Darwin Traffic Operations members located one of the vehicles of interest and apprehended the driver at the front of his residence In Nakara.

While speaking to the driver, a strong smell of Cannabis was detected emanating from his residence.

A search warrant was subsequently obtained and executed at the residence by members of Darwin Traffic Operations and the Drug and Organised Crime Squad.

During the search, a commercial quantity of cannabis was located, along with a trafficable quantity of cannabis plants and four Oleoresin Capsicum Sprays, which are a prohibited weapon in the Northern Territory.

The male was arrested and charged with the following:

• Drive a motor vehicle while unlicensed
• Driver with a prohibited drug in body
• Possess schedule 2 commercial quantity
• Supply schedule 2 commercial quantity
• Cultivate commercial quantity prohibited plant in presence of a child
• Cultivate trafficable quantity prohibited plant
• Possess prohibited weapon

Senior Sergeant Devrim Kanyilmaz said, “The actions of this individual are unacceptable.

“Not only does hooning put other road users at risk, but the supply and distribution of an illicit substance can cause significant harm to the community.

“The NT Police Force will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt criminal behaviour and protect the community.”

Source: New South Wales – News

About 7.15am on Monday 31 March, two men gained access to a garage in Darcy Court, Paradise through an open roller door.  They accessed cupboards and stole tools.

The occupants of the house, about to leave for work, disturbed the intruders and chased them off.

The men left in a white Mitsubishi ute, that had been parked in the street.  The ute had a red cage on the back.

Anyone recognises the vehicle or who has any information, CCTV or dashcam footage that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

Reference 25-38M

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Waverley man charged over fuel thefts

Friday, 4 April 2025 – 2:18 pm.

A man has been charged with 48 offences following an investigation into vehicle damage and fuel theft across Launceston.
Between January and April this year, several vehicles were targeted. 
Northern Criminal Investigation Branch today charged a 31-year-old Waverley man with 24 counts of stealing and 24 counts of injure property.
He will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at a later date.
Anyone with information should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au