A $4 million rollout of water tanks at rural fire stations across Victoria is well underway in a major boost to the Country Fire Authority, Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad said today.
Ms Broad said a partnership between the State Government, the Myer Foundation and CFA had already delivered almost 600 water tanks to rural fire stations such as Boho, Bonnie Doon, Buffalo River, Carboor, Creighton’s Creek, Earlston, Gooram, Gough’s Bay- Howes Creek, Kelvin View, Koonda, Koriella, Lima South, Locksley, Lurg, Marraweeney, Miepoll, Molka, Moorlim, Mt Beauty, Mudgegonga, Myrrhee, Porepunkah, Riggs Creek, Ruffy, Strathbogie, Swanpool, Taminick, Tawonga, Thornton, Tolmie and District, Upton Hill, Wahring, Warrenbayne, Wirrate, and Yarck with around 200 more on the way.
“Being bushfire ready is a partnership between the Brumby Labor Government, emergency services agencies and the community,” Ms Broad said.
“The CFA Community Water Tanks Project is a wonderful example of these partnerships in action.
“Thanks to this project, fire stations across Victoria’s north east can rely on a ready supply of water for bushfire emergencies and training.”
These fire stations across Victoria’s north east have benefited from a range of water saving measures, such as water tanks and pumps, which will allow brigades to rapidly fill their firefighting vehicles during a bushfire emergency.
Ms Broad said the Brumby Labor Government had matched a donation of $2 million from the Sidney Myer Fund in a combined commitment that would see almost 800 water tanks, pumps and plumbing installed at fire stations across the state.
“Every rural and remote CFA brigade across Victoria will have access to a sustainable water supplies project.
“Projects include the installation of water tanks, or other water recycling and water saving initiatives, which will all be completed by the end of this year,” Ms Broad said.
“The Brumby Labor Government is proud to support CFA and its aim of becoming more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
“This program is securing the future of rural CFA brigades by providing them a ready, reliable on-site water supply which will in turn reduce their dependence on water supplies elsewhere in the community.”
Ms Broad said the Brumby Labor Government was proud to support Victoria’s emergency services.
She said the 2010/11 State Budget announced a range of measures aimed at further strengthening the state’s emergency response.
“This year’s Budget delivered a $136.6 million boost to Victoria’s emergency services and underlined the State Government’s commitment to bushfire preparation and response,” Ms Broad said.
The Brumby Labor Government’s contribution to the CFA Water Tanks Project is funded through the Community Support Fund.