The state government has deemed the Mansfield SES facility as "currently functional", with no plans in place to upgrade the station.

This is despite the current station being unable to meet the unit’s needs or store their extensive equipment.

Mansfield SES are not a regular unit, often facing challenging conditions and difficult terrain including mountains, lakes and rivers, making their station requirements unique.

In parliament, State Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish directly called on the Minister for Emergency Services to make available funding in the 2025/26 budget so that a new

facility can be built.

“I am advised that the VICSES Mansfield facility is currently functional, but a new facility will be required in future," the minister responded.

“The VICSES Mansfield Unit will continue to be assessed against a range of investment priorities within the emergency services portfolio to determine its priority for replacement.”

Ms McLeish said for years the unit has understood that they are high on the priority list - in the top five - for new premises.

"Yet the state government won’t provide the funding support for a new station,” she said.

“It is a real let down that they have again missed out.

"I have been calling for this for over ten years.”

A new SES facility has the support of the town including the Mansfield Shire Council.

Council completed a feasibility study for an Emergency Services Precinct on the parcel of land where the SES is currently located, which would accommodate the SES, ambulance station and Country Fire Authority as part of their Resilience and Recovery Hub.

Mansfield is a growth pocket, and it is imperative that funding is provided to make sure the SES facility can be established.