“The Government’s record emergency services budget for 2009/10 will build on the State’s emergency preparedness and protection,” Mr Whan said.
“This budget again delivers on the State Labor Government’s commitment to ensuring our emergency services have the equipment, training and resources they need for their vital work.
“Investing in our emergency services is essential for the safety and well being of NSW families and the Government is continuing to support our volunteer and paid personnel from the NSW Fire Brigades, SES and RFS,” he said.
Mr Whan said the tankers for RFS brigades in rural and regional NSW would help ensure volunteer firefighters headed to firegrounds to defend their communities in safe, modern and efficient vehicles.
“They are among more than 200 tankers for RFS brigades funded in this year’s budget, at a cost of $31 million,” he said.
“This investment means the State Labor Government will have committed almost $395 million to provide more than 3640 tankers for our volunteer firefighters since 1995.”
The budget also includes $18 million to continue updating the NSW Fire Brigades’ fleet with more than 20 new fire engines and specialised vehicles and $2 million towards more than 60 State Emergency Service vehicles. Communities in regional NSW will benefit from the delivery of NSW Fire Brigades engines to stations including Coffs Harbour, Springwood, Lismore, Goulburn, Queanbeyan and Moree.
“The SES will contribute $1.35 million towards the cost of vehicles for local units throughout regional and rural areas to ensure its members have safe and reliable transportation,” Mr Whan said.
“Units including Grafton, Maitland, Bombala, Culcairn, Ashford, Deepwater, Snowy River, Yass, West Wyalong, Narrandera, Tumut and Colleambally will receive funding towards new vehicles.”
Mr Whan said the budget also continued the Government’s record of improving emergency facilities, including $16 million for new and upgraded RFS stations and Fire Control Centres.
“This includes allocations towards new Fire Control Centres in the Hunter, Bland, Griffith and Dubbo districts,” he said.
“These modern, purpose-built centres, to be developed in partnership with local government, will have dedicated communications and operations facilities to help manage bushfires and other incidents.”
Another $5 million has been allocated for improved Fire Brigades facilities, including $470,000 towards renovations at Batlow and Jerilderie.
“A number of SES unit headquarters in rural and regional areas will be upgraded, with the Service contributing more than $800,000 towards the cost of these improved facilities,” Mr Whan said.
“Units to be renovated will include Tweed, Maclean, Ulmurra, Urunga, Dunedoo, Glengarry, Carrathool, Mudgee, Port Macquarie, Camden Haven, Queanbeyan, Bega and Tingha.”
Mr Whan said the emergency services budget included funding of $589 million for the NSW Fire Brigades, $216 million for the Rural Fire Fighting Fund and $59.7 million for the State Emergency Service.
Media contact: Garth Montgomery 04084 864 851
