CFA volunteers across the Mildura electorate will benefit from new firefighting trucks, upgraded station facilities and a major volunteer recruitment drive under a $200 million commitment from a Nationals and Liberals Government.
The plan will deliver 335 new CFA trucks over five years, 17 new and upgraded fire stations and a campaign to recruit 10,000 additional volunteers over the next decade.
The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, said the investment addressed longstanding concerns about ageing firefighting equipment and declining volunteer numbers across Victoria.
“More than half of CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria trucks are at least 15 years old, while CFA operational volunteer numbers have fallen by 26 per cent over the past decade,” Ms Benham said.
“As we enter another fire season, it is unacceptable that serious questions remain about the age, condition and reliability of the trucks our emergency services depend on.
“Our CFA volunteers give their time to protect their communities, often putting themselves in harm’s way when fires threaten homes, farms and businesses. They deserve modern equipment, safe facilities and the support needed to attract more people into their brigades.”
The $200 million commitment will also establish a ministerial consultative group to help identify investment priorities and support the recruitment of 10,000 additional volunteers over the next decade.
An Emergency Services Volunteer Ombudsman will also be established to advocate for volunteers and help resolve disputes.
Ms Benham said supporting CFA volunteers also meant addressing the financial pressure placed on emergency services volunteers and property owners.
“A Liberal and Nationals Government will scrap Labor’s emergency services tax and restore the former Fire Services Property Levy model.
“This will deliver relief from Labor’s tax grab while backing the volunteers who protect our communities,” Ms Benham said.
Ms Benham said regional Victorians deserved confidence that their emergency services had the resources to respond when needed.
“Only the Liberals and Nationals in Government will properly support our CFA and make sure our emergency services have the equipment and resources they need to help keep our communities safe.”
