Published on:
Friday, 13 December 2024
Key Points
The Nationals have committed a $45.5 million one-off payment to fill the backlog of LGGS capital grant requests with an additional $2.8 million increase per year over four years, and $20 million over four years to fund the expansion of the CESM Program.
LGGS funds buildings, facilities, appliances, vehicles, and equipment for Local Government Volunteer Bushfire Brigades and the State Emergency Services. Demand for LGGS capital funding has consistently exceeded the available resources, and this gap is widening.
There are currently 35 CESMs in Western Australia, who assist in local emergency management across prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. This funding commitment would see the creation of an additional 27 positions working across 54 Local Governments, funded through the Emergency Services Levy.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP has commended the Nationals on their commitment and highlighted that WALGA has long called for additional funding to be allocated towards Emergency Services.
"As we see the effects of the high threat season across the State and look to our volunteers for support, WALGA welcomes the funding commitment towards Emergency Services from the Nationals that meets our advocacy asks."
Across the State, Local Governments manage 563 Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades (VBFBs) with approximately 20,000 volunteers and oversee funding for both VBFBs and the State Emergency Service (SES). Local Governments are responsible for the initial fire response over 91.8% of Western Australia’s landmass.
"Despite their critical role in keeping our communities safe, the funding provided to Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades through the Local Government Grant Scheme (LGGS) is not sufficient to meet their needs," Cr Chappel said.
CESMs are an important resource that are particularly valuable to smaller regional Local Governments with responsibility for VBFBs that lack the financial resources to sustain a dedicated Emergency Management Officer.
"An increased number of CESMs provides more Local Governments and their VBFBs with operational and funding advice, a bridged gap with other agencies such as the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, and increased bushfire awareness, potential mitigation and response measures amongst Local Government staff," noted Cr Chappel.
"Funding commitments such as that of the Nationals allow all levels of government to be disaster-ready and support Local Governments as they play a critical role in WA's emergency and disaster response capabilities.
"WALGA is calling for all parties to make a commitment in this space."
To arrange an interview with WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP please contact WALGA Media and Communications Manager Simon Beaumont on 0448 896 435 or via [email protected]
- The Nationals have committed to a total of $56.7 million towards making WA communities safer in preparing for and fighting emergencies
- WALGA commends the support for the Local Government Grants Scheme (LGGS) and commitment of $20m to fund the expansion of the Community Emergency Service Manager (CESM) Program
- This commitment supports WALGA's 2025 State Election Priorities which calls for the review and redesign of the LGGS and the expansion of the CESM Program to all Local Governments
The Nationals have committed a $45.5 million one-off payment to fill the backlog of LGGS capital grant requests with an additional $2.8 million increase per year over four years, and $20 million over four years to fund the expansion of the CESM Program.
LGGS funds buildings, facilities, appliances, vehicles, and equipment for Local Government Volunteer Bushfire Brigades and the State Emergency Services. Demand for LGGS capital funding has consistently exceeded the available resources, and this gap is widening.
There are currently 35 CESMs in Western Australia, who assist in local emergency management across prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. This funding commitment would see the creation of an additional 27 positions working across 54 Local Governments, funded through the Emergency Services Levy.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP has commended the Nationals on their commitment and highlighted that WALGA has long called for additional funding to be allocated towards Emergency Services.
"As we see the effects of the high threat season across the State and look to our volunteers for support, WALGA welcomes the funding commitment towards Emergency Services from the Nationals that meets our advocacy asks."
Across the State, Local Governments manage 563 Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades (VBFBs) with approximately 20,000 volunteers and oversee funding for both VBFBs and the State Emergency Service (SES). Local Governments are responsible for the initial fire response over 91.8% of Western Australia’s landmass.
"Despite their critical role in keeping our communities safe, the funding provided to Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades through the Local Government Grant Scheme (LGGS) is not sufficient to meet their needs," Cr Chappel said.
CESMs are an important resource that are particularly valuable to smaller regional Local Governments with responsibility for VBFBs that lack the financial resources to sustain a dedicated Emergency Management Officer.
"An increased number of CESMs provides more Local Governments and their VBFBs with operational and funding advice, a bridged gap with other agencies such as the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, and increased bushfire awareness, potential mitigation and response measures amongst Local Government staff," noted Cr Chappel.
"Funding commitments such as that of the Nationals allow all levels of government to be disaster-ready and support Local Governments as they play a critical role in WA's emergency and disaster response capabilities.
"WALGA is calling for all parties to make a commitment in this space."
To arrange an interview with WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP please contact WALGA Media and Communications Manager Simon Beaumont on 0448 896 435 or via [email protected]
