PLANNING is underway for a new offroad driver training facility at West Sale CFA training ground. However, the state government has knocked back a suggestion to expand the Fulham site for additional training. Gippsland South MLA Danny OBrien said he was pleased that the West Sale base had recently been upgraded and was continuing to expand and he looked forward to the proposed driver training ground proceeding. The West Sale training facility is a great asset to the Wellington Shire and I would like to see it upgraded and expanded further, Mr OBrien said. I have been advised by the state government that plans are well advanced for this next stage of expansion, and that is a positive step. The off-road driver training facility will be available for other government agencies, as well as the CFA. However I am disappointed that the Minister for Emergency Services has rejected my request for an even greater role for the facility in light of the Fiskville centres closure earlier this year. I recently wrote to the minister suggesting an expanded role for West Sale with the potential for it to expand into the nearby TAFE campus at Fulham, which could be vacated if Federation Training ultimately moves into Sale. Unfortunately, the minister and the state government are committed to an alternative arrangement around the Ballan area and have failed to grasp the opportunity that West Sale provides. A Fiskville-type expansion of West Sale would be great for Wellington Shire, bringing in emergency services trainees from across the state and delivering an economic shot in the arm for our community. Its disappointing that Labor hasnt seen this opportunity, but I am pleased there are further works planned for this site. Mr OBrien said he would continue to support West Sale as an option for future expansion in the training of the states emergency services personnel and looked forward to the next phase getting underway.