Melbourne City Council has approved a plan to build Fire Station 72 on the west side of Wickham Road, avoiding the use of land at Jimmy Moore Park. The 6-1 vote on May 26 ends months of debate over the station’s location, which had initially been considered for the park on Sarno Road. The new site will cost the city an additional $1.08 million compared to the park location, according to Mayor Paul Alfrey, who called the park’s preservation a priority.
The current Fire Station 72, located near the corner of Wickham and Sarno roads, is aging and needs replacement. The chosen site is behind Walmart Supercenter on Wickham Road, a location city staff and firefighters say will increase emergency response times. Research shows the new station could add 23 seconds to response times, compared to a 10-second improvement if the station had been built on the park site.
Councilwoman Mimi Hanley, the lone dissenting vote, argued the new location is outside the area where most emergency calls occur. She questioned whether placing the station farther from high-traffic zones would hinder service. 'Is that really the best way to provide services?' Hanley asked during the vote. 'When you're needing services like an ambulance or fire, every second counts.'
City officials acknowledged the trade-off. The park site would have reduced response times but would have 'substantially taken away green space,' Alfrey said. The new location, while farther from the park, aligns with the city’s broader plan to consolidate fire stations and improve efficiency.
Residents had split on the issue, with some fearing the park’s loss and others prioritizing faster emergency response. The decision now moves to the next phase, with construction expected to begin later this year. The city will monitor response times closely, officials said, but emphasized the park’s preservation as a key victory.