Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters made the announcement in Bendigo this morning, which she hopes would return jobs to the institute.

In the 2014 budget, the Coalition announced it would close AEMI and relocate its services to Canberra. Part of the facility has since been reopened in Brisbane.

Ms Chesters said there was still time to return the services to Mount Macedon.

“There is $900,000 to help the transition back, there will be $500,000 to help with restoration and repair works, minor maintenance work,” she said.

“$100,000 to help with the future planning of the institute.”

AEMI helped train professionals and volunteers in emergency services, including the CFA and SES. It also provided debriefing before and after severe fire danger days, and offered diplomas in emergency management.

The institute employed about 60 people.

Macedon Ranges Shire mayor Graham Hackett said the decision to close the facility was “a shame”, and hoped the Coalition would match Labor’s promise.

“When it was closed, there was always that hope that it would one day be reopened in the same capacity. It’s certainly an asset to our community,” he said.

“Why leave a $1 million asset halfway up a hill?

“We would now hope the Liberal-National Coalition would match, or better, Labor’s plan.”

The shire’s chief executive officer Peter Johnston said the site is “ideal for emergency services training and related industries”.

“Future use of the building would provide local employment opportunities as well as economic benefits to the region,” he said.

The shire will meet with Liberal candidate for Bendigo Megan Purcell on Wednesday.

Ms Purcell said the council had not raised the project as a priority, and doubted Labor’s commitment to emergency services.

“You only have to look at the debate with the CFA to see that Labor is not the party to protect emergency services,” she said.

“Of course our volunteers need the highest quality training, and the Coalition will always be committed to that.”

Ms Purcell said the Macedon Ranges had received some focus during the campaign, with the Liberal Party committing $100,000 to an indoor sports hub project.