A $38 million Victorian Government investment will drive the development of further last-resort options in high bushfire risk communities and support local councils to prepare their communities for the threat of bushfires.
(Media-Newswire.com) - A $38 million Victorian Government investment will drive the development of further last-resort options in high bushfire risk communities and support local councils to prepare their communities for the threat of bushfires.
Premier John Brumby announced support for local councils to identify potential community refuges, shelters and to accelerate the roll-out of Neighbourhood Safer Places, plan for high bushfire risk days and better connect vulnerable people with assistance they need to plan ahead.
“Our Government’s strong economic management means we can invest in fundamental reforms to make our State as fire-safe and as fire-ready as possible,” Mr Brumby said.
“Our Government firmly believes that people in bushfire prone areas need a range of options for safety if we are to best protect human life when bushfires strike. We also understand that local government is a willing partner in making communities safer, that’s why we are providing additional funding to local government to help carry out this important work.”
The $38 million package outlines:
• $11.5 million in capital grants to fund the rectification for and establishment of further Neighbourhood Safer Places and establish standards to progress the development of other shelter options. Grants will be made available to councils, business and community groups to develop last-resort options that meet stringent CFA criteria;
• $11.3 million to local government to employ five staff members through the Municipal Association of Victoria ( MAV ) and one staff member in each of 25 councils in high fire risk areas, and a further $500,000 for the MAV to allocate to councils with additional needs;
• $6.1 million over two years through the CFA to support the Township Protection Program to develop localised fire preparation and plans for communities in the event of a bushfire threat. This funding will support exercises to be conducted enacting individual Township Protection Plans to be done in high bushfire risk communities;
• $3.4 million to increase the level of support the CFA provides to local government in the area of fire prevention planning;
• $5.5 million over two years for the CFA to further drive and assist in the development municipal fire management plans for high risk bushfire risk communities;
• $250,000 to audit databases to ensure vulnerable people in high bushfire risk areas are given help and assistance to prepare and enact their own bushfire survival plans on days of fire danger, by receiving information and advice and being better connected with existing community registers, service providers and local networks.
“I have always said our Government would stand shoulder to shoulder with local government to help our communities deal with the threat of bushfires,” Mr Brumby said.
“We also heard the message through our bushfire consultations that residents wanted additional resources for local government to carry out their bushfire-related work.
“Today I can say we have heard that message and we are delivering on our commitment to work with local government to make our State as fire-safe and as fire-ready as possible.”
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