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$168 Million To Boost Fire Fighting Resources

A $168 million funding increase to boost Victoria’s fire fighting capacity has been announced as part of the 2004-05 State Budget.

By Minister For Environment And Water - 4th May 2004 - Back to News

Environment and Water Minister John Thwaites, and Police and Emergency Services Minister Andre Haermeyer, said the Putting Families First Budget invested strongly in safer Victorian communities.

"The extra funding will allow us to continue implementing the recommendations of the Esplin Inquiry into last year’s bushfires," Mr Thwaites said.

"It will provide the resources for extra fuel reduction burning, fire fighting capability and general forestry stewardship."

The four-year funding boost will go towards 180 extra fire fighters in the Department of Sustainability and Environment, fire road upgrades, new equipment and the Government’s contribution towards the CFA’s 190 new fire trucks and new fire stations.

The $168 million in new funding will provide for:

• $73.7 million over four years to provide guaranteed funding for 450 seasonal fire-fighters;

• $30 million over four years for a year-round emergency service program across the State, to be managed by DSE;

• $16 million over five years for increased fuel reduction burning to reduce future fire risk;

• $5.8 million over four years for DSE programs related to fire education and awareness;

• $2.7 million over four years to improve planning and cross-agency coordination for better fire response;

• $28.7 million over four years to upgrade and maintain fire roads and tracks and purchase new equipment for DSE;

• $8.6 million towards a $39 million program to deliver 190 new CFA fire trucks, with the remaining funding delivered via an insurance industry contribution; and

• $2.5 million towards an $11 million project for new and upgraded CFA fire stations, with the remaining funds to come from an insurance industry contribution.

Mr Thwaites said the majority of the new staff would be allocated to the areas of greatest fire risk, but every part of the State would benefit from an increased ability to respond to local needs.

"The new staff will also carry out non-fire related work including land management, upgrading facilities, land-use planning and engaging with local communities," he said.

"The funding will also be used to upgrade equipment with new bulldozers, trucks and specialist fire fighting equipment.

"We all know fire is a fact of life, but this funding boost will leave us better placed than ever to manage the risk for the benefit of communities, regional economies and the environment across Victoria."

Mr Haermeyer said the funding boost to the Country Fire Authority would deliver state-of-the-art trucks to help protect regional communities.

"The Bracks Government is delivering record funding to the Country Fire Authority to ensure it is well equipped to protect communities across the State," Mr Haermeyer said.

He said the Bracks Government had increased funding to the CFA by more than $185 million since coming to office in 1999.

"In last year’s State Budget, the Government committed an additional $10 million to the expanded Community Safety Emergency Support Program over the next four years for grants for local emergency service groups to purchase new emergency and rescue vehicles and equipment."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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