Brand new, state-of-the-art facility open for VICSES Chelsea Unit volunteers

Brand new, state-of-the-art facility open for VICSES Chelsea Unit volunteers

01/05/2023, 9:00 AM

A brand new home for the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Chelsea Unit was officially unveiled yesterday, at its new location of 13 Ashley Park Drive, Chelsea Heights - 15 years in the making!

The new state of the art facility has been delivered as part of the Victorian Government’s recent investment in VICSES facility infrastructure.


VICSES Chelsea Unit volunteers, Sunday 30 April 2023.

Situated in the local government area of Kingston, the new local headquarters will enable the Chelsea Unit to continue to respond effectively to floods and storms in the local community as well as assist Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and the Fire Services with support to other emergency incidents.

This state-of the-art facility has been built in and around an existing warehouse on the site and includes a six-bay drive-through motor room, including additional storage for boats and equipment.

Existing infrastructure was also upgraded to support administrative operations, training, and emergency response coordination to create this fit-for-purpose, smart, and modern facility.

VICSES Chelsea Unit volunteers, Sunday 30 April 2023.

The new facility reflects VICSES' commitment and dedication to the local community and will enable an expansion of local services as required, while supporting the retention and recruitment of volunteers.

The VICSES Chelsea Unit has 40 active volunteer members, and in the last financial year (financial year 2021/22) responded to 504 Requests for Assistance (RFAs) across a range of incidents, including floods, trees down, damage to property, and search-and-rescue operations.

Established in 1953, the Chelsea Unit is one of VICSES' longest-running units.

Construction commenced in January 2022 with principal building contractor, Lloyd Group, and reached practical completion in December 2022.


VICSES Chelsea Unit volunteer Kimba Wall greets attendees, Sunday 30 April 2023.

This is the sixth facility to be delivered by Community Safety Building Authority (CSBA) under the VICSES High Priority Infrastructure Program.

The opening event was attended by Tim Richardson MP, State Member for Mordialloc and representative for the Minister for Emergency Services, as well as the Emergency Management Commissioner, Andrew Crisp, and other VICSES representatives and volunteers, to share this momentous milestone for the VICSES Chelsea Unit.