The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, is continuing to raise the need for upgrades to Strathbogie’s CFA shed – raising the concerns of local volunteers with the Minister for Emergency Services this week.
The current shed that the Strathbogie CFA use has no toilets, no running water, no changerooms despite multiple female volunteers, and relies on the use of a nearby private shed to appropriately store their CFA vehicles.
“With Strathbogie being located in a high-risk zone for bushfires, it is imperative that this community has fit-for-purpose facilities to keep the community safe,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This is an issue that has been raised several times over the years – with upgrades needed for the better part of a decade now.
“These upgrades must be addressed as a matter of priority to ensure that local volunteer firefighters and the wider community are kept safe ahead of the next bushfire season.
“I am hoping the Minister can recognise the difficulties these facilities are causing for our volunteers and act quickly.”
Ms Cleeland said while Labor had been so caught up with their new emergency services tax, they were neglecting brigades that were in desperate need of assistance.
Labor’s new Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) is anticipated to increase the amount that farmers pay towards the fire service levy by 189 per cent from June 1.
“Instead of hiking taxes, this government should be investing in the men and women who stand between us and disaster,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We owe our CFA volunteers more than gratitude; we owe them the resources to do their job safely and effectively.
“Our brigades are suffering from a lack of investment, delays when it comes to crucial infrastructure and vehicle upgrades, and a massively declining volunteer force.
“Even with these tax increases, just $50 million of the $1.6 billion raised is expected to reach CFA, SES, and other volunteer groups.
“Unfortunately, Strathbogie are not the only brigade in need of more support – Labor’s inability to provide crucial upgrades in a timely manner has hurt volunteer firefighters right across regional Victoria.”
Any community members concerned about Labor’s proposed emergency services tax are encouraged to voice their displeasure at http://scrapthetax.com.au and sending a protest message directly to the Treasurer, Jaclyn Symes.
Ms Cleeland’s office can also be contacted at annabelle.cleeland@parliament.vic.gov.au or 03 5762 1600 to share any concerns.
