Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has called for support towards local CFA brigades ahead of what is expected to be an intense fire season.
With the Allan Labor Government failing to adequately support CFA brigades in the lead up to this year’s fire season, Ms Cleeland spoke on the importance of community involvement and a strong volunteer force.
“As we approach summer, we have seen a string of bad decisions by this Government when it comes to fire management,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This includes a lack of planned burns, the closing of the sustainable native timber industry, and a reduction in 6,500 operational CFA volunteers since 2015.
“While our brigades are not getting the support they need, it remains so important that our communities and volunteers are kept safe ahead the fire season.
“I implore everyone that can to get behind their local brigades, volunteer where possible, and share your appreciation for their dedication, hard work, and sacrifice.”
Ms Cleeland said the Labor Government’s inability to provide our brigades with fit-for-purpose vehicles, together with several other recent policy decisions, would be putting our communities, and volunteer firefighters, at risk.
“Having met with five brigade captains and several volunteers recently, there are serious concerns about the upcoming season and the lack of Government support,” Ms Cleeland said.
“With the fire season approaching, our CFA brigades are in desperate need of appliances that are fit for purpose in order to protect our volunteer firefighters and to protect our communities.”
Ms Cleeland said the recent announcement that $11 million in grant funding would be allocated to CFA brigades was still well short of what is needed to adequately keep our volunteers safe.
“This new funding fails to scratch the surface of what our CFA brigades actually need,” Ms Cleeland said.
“With it costing over $450,000 on average to replace old tankers, and there being over 429 vehicles over 25 years old, it is clear this new funding is nowhere near enough.
“With brigades like Heathcote receiving just $65,000 in new funding for vehicles, there is no obvious path for them to update their ageing fleet under this Labor Government.”
