The Victorian Liberals and Nationals are calling on the Allan Labor Government to fully support SES volunteers and local communities as the clean-up from high winds earlier this week continues.
On Monday, extreme wind gusts of up to 146 km/h resulted in damage across the state with more than 180,000 homes reporting power outages and 4300 emergency calls for fallen trees, damage to property and other disruptions.
As the clean-up continues and with the prospect of more extreme weather over coming days and weeks, Victoria’s outstanding SES volunteers must be fully supported by the Allan Labor Government.
No volunteer should be left out of pocket and expected to bear the costs of cleaning up their local community and Labor must step up and ensure operational costs are fully funded.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said SES volunteers continued to demonstrate their tireless dedication to keeping their local communities safe despite a lack of funding support.
“In the past year leading up to this most recent weather event, SES volunteers responded to over 33,000 requests for assistance; however, their annual funding covers less than half of their operating expenses,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Seymour SES, despite going through two significant floods in 18 months, was left short-changed in their funding subsidy, leaving them rattling tins to raise funds.
“The Benalla SES, led by unit controller Ailsa McMillan, doubled its average yearly call-outs this year with more than 500 requests for assistance.
“Kilmore SES unit controller John Koutras earlier this year said his unit had already responded to 35 serious road crash accidents out of their 250 call-outs this year, including 11 fatalities.
“The dedicated volunteers of our SES are crucial for our regional communities, and it is imperative that they receive funding that allows them to continue delivering their essential service.”
