LUCAS residents believe a proposed emergency services hub will mean “less hassles, less problems” to the city’s youngest suburb.
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Works on the $8-million emergency hub is expected to begin next year and covers the sale of the land and construction of a police station.
Funding is still required to build a fire station and an ambulance depot within the hub.
An incident control centre is also mooted for the structure.
Charlie Grima recently moved to Lucas from Cardigan to be closer to the centre of Ballarat and relatives.
Mr Grima said the emergency hub would make the area more secure and would mean “less hassles, less problems and no stealing”.
His wife, Rose, said the hub would provide security and safety to the area.
“Obviously, being a new suburb, the need for support is growing,” she said.
“Just as the schools need more teachers for more students, the suburb needs more emergency services per population.”
Ballarat Police Station, on Dana Street, is currently the closest station to the Grima’s Warburton Drive home.
Daughter-in-law Fiona Grima said a car fire on Cuthberts Road on Wednesday morning, which was treated as suspicious, reinforced the need for an emergency hub where response times were quicker.
“This area is further out. It would mean a quicker response time and the Sturt Street (fire) station is far away,” Fiona said.
Government spokeswoman Jessica Jackson said the new police station and emergency services hub would service the Ballarat West growth area including Lucas, Alfredton and Delacombe.
“Victoria Police has advised that land has been purchased with settlement expected to be finalised in November,” Ms Jackson said.
“Construction of the police station is expected to begin next year and be completed in 2017”.
david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au