Inconsistent local government support is not responsible for SES funding shortfalls.

The money will fund much-needed equipment and station upgrades across the state, including here in Bendigo.

The unit will receive $26,000 towards a new four-wheel-drive vehicle, which will help our local State Emergency Service volunteers respond to emergencies in Huntly and surrounding areas.

It will mean faster response times to what can often be difficult and distressing events – not only for those who find themselves in difficult and sometimes traumatic circumstances, but those within the SES.

But that the SES has had to contribute to some of those funds, is simply not good enough. As a state, we are relying on volunteers – who are called away from their homes, workplaces or leisure activities several times a week without notice to respond to a range of emergency situations.

Some of those are critical situations when the response time could mean the difference between life or death.

Not only are they doing this in their own time, but they are witnessing scenes many would find confronting and traumatic. They save lives. And if they don’t do it, who else will?

Yet, SES volunteers are asked to donate more of their time to find ways to raise money to fund what they do. 

They’re not only responding to critical incidents, they’re raising money for equipment and other provisions that are critical needs of our state.

Mr Merlino has called on local councils to continue to contribute to SES funding, but in some areas across central Victoria, local government has withdrawn its support for this critical service.

Here in Bendigo that is not the case and our council remains supportive. But again, we ask – why is it the role of local government to be funding such a critical service when the state is responsible for funding police, ambulance and fire services?  

Inconsistent local government support is not responsible for SES funding shortfalls.   

We remind the state government to consider the impact on our communities if it does not start adequately addressing the financial needs of State Emergency Service units across the state.

Nicole Ferrie, editor