Published on Friday, 19 April 2024 at 4:33:06 PM
A recent funding announcement by the State Government has left precious little on the table for the Local Government Bush Fire Brigade Volunteers.
Despite an ever-growing shortfall in funding, repeated calls on the State Government for further support have gone unanswered once again.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Jerry Clune expressed his disappointment.
“Our Bush Fire Brigade Volunteers (BFBV) give up their time and risk their lives for the good of the community and it is ridiculous to expect them to do this without the necessary resources,” he said.
“In December our volunteers responded to a huge fire in Chapman Valley which was started by malfunctioning Western Power poles, in all-too-common instances like this it is failed State Government infrastructure causing fires that our under resourced BFBV have to combat.
“The City is also expected to collect the Emergency Services Levee (ESL) which is then handed directly over to the State, this role of tax collector costs the City $75,000 to administer of which only $35,000 is recovered, and none of the benefit is felt by our community as the ESL cannot be used to fund our Emergency Management Team.”
“This is on top of an increased legislative and risk burden placed on the sector by new safety legislation which may result in volunteers and council workers risking jail time in the event that something goes wrong,” added Mayor Clune.
Moonyoonooka Bush Fire Brigade Captain Bill McKay was also frustrated by the announcement.
“Post incidents we are praised in bucket loads for our commitment to protect the community and its assets,” he said.
“But our funding is reduced to a mere drip from a leaky hose when compared to other branches of the emergency services that receive direct funding from the ESL distribution and consequently don’t have to go cap in hand to receive funding through the grants system.”
The City of Greater Geraldton has made numerous representations to the Minister for Emergency Services regarding BFBV funding.
For further information regarding the latest State Government Emergency Management Package head to WALGA.asn.au
ENDS
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