By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
A SPOKESPERSON for the Victorian Government has confirmed the SES will receive a share of the Emergency Management Capability funding which has been increased in the 2016/17 budget.
“In 2016/17, the government is contributing more than $51 million to the SES across the state,” the spokesperson said.
“We understand the demands that are placed on SES units and we continue to work with them to help meet these challenges.”
Ben Owen from Emerald SES said $50 million for the 149 VICSES units is not enough to meet the funding needs of the organisation.
“$50 million doesn’t go very far in this day and age, especially across the whole state,” Mr Owen said.
The government also anticipates that VICSES units will apply for grants through the Victorian Government’s $12.8 million Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).
The grants of up to $100,000 are used to purchase operational equipment, vehicles and for minor facility improvements.
Mr Owen said there is no point in applying for grants for minor improvements to the Emerald unit’s shed.
“$100,000 doesn’t go that far towards a new building, especially when there is no stable infrastructure currently in place,” he said
“We have nothing solid to build an extension onto.”
Mr Owen also said while these State Government grants were helpful, they didn’t meet the needs of SES units in high call-out areas.
“Those grants are wonderful but you still have to put in one dollar of community money for to every two dollars of government grant money.”
