Media Releases

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty this week in Parliament said that many good things had happened in the Lowan electorate in the past few weeks.

“I have been fortunate to have attended many functions and made many announcements of Coalition Government funding during January and early February,” Mr Delahunty said.

“On Sunday 2nd February I opened the $311,000 Nareen CFA Fire Station which is fitting recognition of the Brigade’s important contribution to the local community.  The Brigade currently has 28 proud members in a proud western Victorian community,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Recent funding announcements have included $3.46 million in Coalition Government funding to repair the Dimboola and Jeparit weirs which were extensively damaged in the 2011 Wimmera River floods.”

Mr Delahunty said these valuable assets are being restored after a lot of work by the town committees, the Hindmarsh Shire and GWM Water.  

“Also while I was visiting Dimboola I announced $29,186 for the Dimboola Boat and Water Ski Club to upgrade the existing boat ramp at Picnic Point on the Wimmera River and make boating a safer and more enjoyable experience for the Dimboola community,” Mr Delahunty said.

Boating is a popular pastime, and we have some magnificent waterways in the Wimmera region which are enjoyed by many locals and attract thousands of tourists every year.

“Men’s Sheds are important facilities in Lowan and I was pleased to be able to announce Hamilton will receive $30,000, Natimuk $15,566 and Edenhope $25,000,” Mr Delahunty said.

“The Victorian Coalition Government recognises the significant role that Men’s sheds play in local communities, by engaging a wide range of men, including those with a disability, farmers, war veterans, retirees and the unemployed.”

Mr Delahunty said he was delighted to be able to attend the Australia Day celebrations held in Horsham, Cavendish, Hamilton and Glenthompson.  

“Each celebration was well attended and I congratulate the Councils and organising committees on the success of each of these events.  I also take this opportunity to congratulate to all the Australia Day award recipients,” Mr Delahunty said.

“There has been much good news for the Lowan electorate but the down side, Lowan health services have taken a hit from the Federal Government not honoring its health budget by cutting $107m from health services across Victoria; this is in contrast to the State Coalition Government which is honoring our health budget.”

“This cash grab by the Federal Government is impacting on the five health services in Lowan and ultimately it is the patients who will suffer with longer waiting times for elective surgery or the closure of beds and wards and may even lead to job losses,” Mr Delahunty said.

0 August 2012

LOWAN VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICES BENEFIT FROM EQUIPMENT GRANTS

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has congratulated volunteer emergency services who will share in a record $11.95 million Coalition Government investment in operational equipment, vehicles and amenities upgrades.

“Fire brigades and State Emergency Services in the Lowan electorate are among 261 volunteer emergency services units across Victoria to receive funding under the  2012/2013  Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP),” Mr Delahunty said.

COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY

BRIGADE      ITEM                           VESEP                    BRIGADE                 TOTAL

NAME            DESCRIPTION           CONTRIBUTION     CONTRIBUTION     PROJECT

BYADUK         GENERATOR             $2,567                        $1,283                      $3,850

GREEN LAKE RFB QUICK                $733                            $367                        $1,100

                         FILL PUMP  

NETHERBY     RFB AUTOMATED    $2,667                         $1,333                     $4,000

                    EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR 

GLENTHOMPSON   RFB LIGHT        $185,333                     $26,667                   $212,000

                       TANKER - 1.2.4D 

HORSHAM     UFB LIGHT                   $185,333                    $26,667                    $212,000

                        TANKER - 1.2.4D 

KANIVA FBG RG COLORADO             $40,000                     $20,000                    $60,000

                        CREW CAB 4 X 4

        FIELD COMMAND VEHICLE 

LOWAN FBG RG COLORADO             $35,000                     $17,500                     $52,500

                        LT CREW 4X4

         FIELD COMMAND VEHICLE 

CASTERTON UFB`                                $667                        $333                             $1,000

             AMENITIES UPGRADE 
 

 VICTORIA STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE

UNIT NAME     ITEM                          VESEP                         UNIT                              TOTAL       

                     DESCRIPTION           CONTRIBUTION         CONTRIBUTION               PROJECT

ARARAT      MITSUBISHI TRITON     $37,114                     $18,557                             $55,671

HAMILTON STORM TRAILER             $31,751                    $15,875                             $47,627

Deputy Premier and Minister for Emergency Services Peter Ryan said Victoria’s 90,000 emergency services volunteers were fundamental to the state’s ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Mr Ryan said the Victorian Government contributes $2 for every $1 of funding contributed by local volunteer groups, demonstrating how much can be achieved when  community, government and emergency services agencies work together.”
“Volunteers are the backbone of our communities and come from all walks of life. VESEP funding provides vital equipment for our volunteers who give up their time and energy and are selfless in their efforts to protect lives and property during an emergency,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty today welcomed a commitment by Victoria Police to maintain all of Victoria’s 99 one member police stations of which 19 are in the Lowan electorate.

“There has been some uncertainty about the future of one member police stations in communities like Merino and today’s announcement by Chief Commissioner Ken Lay provides clarity for local families,” Mr Delahunty said.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is proud to be delivering the largest ever boost to frontline police resources and a commitment by Victoria Police to one member stations will ensure smaller country towns have a police presence.

Mr Delahunty said police officers in one officer stations provided a unique service in smaller country towns as they were often actively involved in all aspects of the community activity.
“The operational policy decision by Victoria Police follows after a review of eight stations in Victoria that were currently not filled,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty said Victoria Police would now actively work on ways to fill vacancies in one member police stations, such as promoting the opportunities internally and having local area management working with the local community.

“In the meantime, police from nearby stations will continue to provide a service at the stations that are currently open for a limited amount of hours each week, until full time officers are recruited and allocated to them, ” Mr Delahunty said.

“Resourcing our police force at appropriate levels and providing a police presence in all communities across our state is a fundamental component of the Victorian Coalition Government’s law and order policy.  

“By November 2014 the Coalition Government will invest $602 million to support the roll-out of 1,700 new frontline police to be allocated across the Victoria, 850 additional frontline police of which will be allocated by the end of June this year.

“The 2012-13 Victorian Budget also includes $56 million to upgrade or refurbish police stations and build new police stations across Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Today’s announcement by Victoria Police, on top of our budget commitments, is good news for the Lowan electorate,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has joined the call of the Deputy Premier and Minister for Emergency Services Peter Ryan in urging western Victorians to be vigilant against fire in their homes this winter.

“The joint CFA and MFB Winter Fire Safety campaign is warning Victorians about the high fire safety risks this time of year when the likelihood of house fires can increase by up to 20 per cent.,” Mr Delahunty said.

“It is distressing that last winter across Victoria six people tragically lost their lives and there were 1,042 residential fires causing an estimated $20 million worth of damage.”

“Unattended cooking remained the single biggest cause of domestic fires throughout the year with more than one-third of residential fires started in the kitchen.”

Mr Delahunty said the number of fires in bedrooms, caused by heating equipment, also increases dramatically during the winter months, while blocked chimneys can also be a hazard.

The Winter Fire Safety campaign would use a combination of advertising and educational materials that focused on fire prevention in the home.

The CFA and MFB are asking everyone across the state to start their own winter safety campaign by being vigilant, planning ahead and checking that the smoke alarms in your house work; plan how you would get out of your house if there was a fire; and be aware of fire risks in the home.

“The CFA and MFB will be targeting key community groups including schools and maternal child health centres as well as vulnerable groups such as the elderly,” Mr Delahunty said.  

For more information visit www.homefiresafety.com.au

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said today that almost $12 million would be made available under the 2012/2013 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).

“These grants provide our local volunteer emergency service groups the opportunity to apply for equipment, facility upgrades, vehicles and appliances,” Mr Delahunty said.

“It is important our volunteer groups such as CFA and SES are supported through grants like VESEP so that they can continue to do what they do best – protecting lives and property throughout western Victoria.

“Our emergency services in the Lowan Electorate deal with a number of emergencies including fires, storms and flooding.  In these emergencies our volunteers play a crucial role in protecting communities and people.”

Under the program emergency services volunteer groups can access grants of up to $100,000 for operational equipment, vehicles and appliances and minor facility improvements.

VESEP will contribute $2 for every $1 of funding up to $100,000.  Applicants must meet a range of criteria and will be assessed by a panel comprising representatives from government and respective emergency services organisations.

“Our volunteers are the backbone of emergency services so the Coalition Government wants to ensure they have the best equipment available to help them carry out their vital work.

“Our volunteers give selfless service and are dedicated to helping make our communities a better place to live and equipment grants such as these are a great example of the way the community, government and emergency services agencies can work together to ensure that we are best placed to respond to emergencies,” Mr Delahunty said.

For more information to go www.justice.vic.gov.au or email vesep@justice.vic.gov.au

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty welcomed the announcement that western Victoria will receive 12 out of 45 new 'burn mix' trailers to be built and distributed by the Victorian Coalition Government for use in planned burning operations across Victoria.

"Western Victoria has suffered many bushfires over the past and the allocation of the "burn mix" trailers will go a long way to making the region fire safe," Mr Delahunty said. 

'Burn mix' trailers are critical to the planned burning process with each trailer consisting of 10 drip torches, two x 200 litre drums, jerry cans, a spill kit, toolbox, bonding cable and a hand pump allowing crews to decant and mix the diesel petrol solution used in planned burning.

The drip torch is the main tool used for the safe lighting of large areas in the planned burning process – it allows the operator to manage directly how much bush is lit depending on the conditions.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said that the new trailers are worth more than $500,000 and will provide additional assistance to the Victorian Government's planned burns program.

"The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to implementing the 67 recommendations of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, including increasing planned burning across the state. 

"In 2010-11 more than 188,000ha of planned burning was completed. This is the largest program completed in more than 20 years. These new trailers will assist us with the planned burns program," Mr Smith said. 

The Department of Sustainability and Environment has already built 15 of the new units and they are now ready for use in planned burning operations across Victoria.

It is anticipated that all 45 'burn mix' trailers will be finished, delivered and ready for use by the end of October.

The Victorian Coalition Government's planned burn program helps protect life, property and the environment by reducing fuel levels and maintaining the health of plants and animals.

For more information about upcoming burns and the planned burns program, please visit www.dse.vic.gov.au

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has welcomed the release of the Green Paper “Towards A More Disaster Resilient and Safer Victoria” which will provide the state’s emergency services, volunteers and communities the opportunity to have their say as the Victorian Coalition Government initiates major reform to Victoria’s crisis and emergency management arrangements.

 “The Green Paper marks the start of a two month consultation process that seeks innovative ideas and feedback to improve the way Victoria responded to emergencies,” Mr Delahunty said.

“While we have one of the best emergency services in the world, the Green Paper offers the opportunity for all of us to consider new ways to ensure we are equipped to deal with the increased risks of fire, flood and other natural disasters,” Mr Delahunty said.

“The Green Paper will challenge current thinking about Victoria’s crisis and emergency management arrangements and pose proactive questions about the practical options for reform.

“We want to get the structures, response and laws right and the Green Paper will help develop options that will improve support for the thousands of volunteers and staff in our emergency services organisations who sacrifice so much to protect our communities.”

Mr Delahunty said the Green Paper process would also take into account the valuable lessons and recommendations from the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and the current Flood Review. 

“The Green Paper consultation process will seek input from experts, those at the coal face and from Victorians to get a range of views of this important reform program,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Victoria’s resilience has been tested in recent years, with extreme events proving too big for any one emergency services agency to manage alone.  Western Victoria unfortunately has endured many significant emergency events such as floods and fire over the past few years.

“The Coalition Government and every person involved in emergency management wants to ensure Victoria has a world’s best practice emergency management framework for now and into the future.” Mr Delahunty said.

The Green Paper can be accessed at www.dpc.vic.gov.au and submissions can be made until 14 November.

 The Branxholme Fire Brigade’s 55 volunteers are better equipped to protect their community against the threat of fire with the opening a new $400,000 fire station today.

Representing Deputy Premier and Minister for Emergency Services Peter Ryan, Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said the 72-year-old Branxholme Fire Brigade would now be better equipped to enable its members to protect the community during a fire event.

“The Branxholme Fire Brigade not only serves its own township but has been called upon during many of Victoria’s major fire events, including during the 2009 Black Saturday fires where its members bravely answered calls for help from nearby Coleraine,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Despite tackling some of Victoria’s worst fires, Branxholme members were working out of an outdated shed which originally built in the 1950s before a further upgrade in 1993.”

Mr Delahunty said this new station was constructed using local builders and contractors.

“The station will provide the 55 members of the Branxholme Fire Brigade, lead by Captain Geoffrey McErvale, with modern and up-to-date facilities, including a Divisional Command Centre which will give CFA District 5 more effective fire and incident management control capabilities into the future.”

“It will also feature a meeting and communications room and rainwater tanks for domestic water use and to clean the appliances following use at incidents.”

Mr Ryan said the Branxholme station upgrade was funded via the CFA capital works program.

“This new facility will provide an enormous boost to community spirit and help build community confidence,” Mr Ryan said.

“The essential service that the CFA provide goes above and beyond fighting fires. Brigades also have a critical role in bringing people together and fostering community networks. 

“It is especially important for rural townships to have venues such as this, where the entire community can congregate, is especially important.”

Mr Ryan said the Coalition Government is committed to supporting the states 59,000 CFA volunteers, recently investing $65.8 million to build 60 new or upgraded CFA stations and rolling out 101 new fire fighting vehicles within the next 12 months, while the government had recently passed legislation which enshrined the rights and needs of CFA Volunteers.

“The CFA is one of the world’s largest volunteer-based emergency service organisations, and every one of these volunteers makes a significant contribution to the wellbeing and safety of Victorians so it is pleasing that we can provide this support,” Mr Ryan said.

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has welcomed the new Volunteer Charter for CFA volunteers.

“The importance of Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers to the safety and wellbeing of Victorians has been formally recognised with the signing of the new Volunteer Charter,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty said the Volunteer Charter was signed by the Premier and Deputy Premier during a ceremony at the Upper Ferntree Gully CFA Station alongside CFA Chairman Kerry Murphy and Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) President Hans Van Hamond.

The Charter acknowledges that volunteers remain the core strength of the CFA and signatories to the Charter are committed to ensuring volunteers are fully and fairly consulted on issues that affect them.

Mr Delahunty said the Coalition Government will enshrine the Volunteer Charter in legislation, giving real weight for the first time to the commitments documented between the State of Victoria, the CFA and VFBV.

The Charter requires that the State of Victoria and the CFA consult with volunteers about all matters that may affect volunteers.

The Charter also requires the CFA and its employees to:

• nurture and encourage volunteers and facilitate and develop their skills and competencies; and
• acknowledge that policy development and change should always be considered in terms of its potential to support and facilitate the volunteer contribution and the particular situation of local brigades.

"Special praise and thanks go to our CFA volunteers, those proud people, with proud traditions and through their continuing untiring efforts in protecting all Victorians.  The signing of this charter is our chance to say thanks and ensure the interests and needs of volunteers are protected in the future," Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has welcomed the State Government’s move to carry out a comprehensive review of flood warnings and emergency response efforts.

“The move has been announced by Premier Ted Baillieu, who said the review would be carried out by Neil Comrie, the former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police,” Mr Delahunty said.

“The review would look at the adequacy of flood predictions and modelling, the timeliness and effectiveness of warnings and public information and the adequacy of clean-up and recovery efforts, among other things.”

“I welcome the fact that this review, aside from seeking advice from experts in the field of flood management, will involve extensive community consultation, especially with regard to emergency warnings and evacuations,” Mr Delahunty said.

“In the Lowan electorate we have seen the worst flooding in living memory and many areas throughout the Lowan electorate have been severely affected.

“I am aware of a number of concerns raised about the accuracy of flood predictions and its impact on farmland and on towns.

“There have also been concerns raised about the inadequacy of the SMS warning system, but the emergency personnel are to be praised for their outstanding job in meeting the challenges as they arose.

“Our emergency personnel as well as residents and farmers need accurate, up to date information to allow them to plan fully for all possibilities.

Mr Delahunty said ideally the review will provide many answers and help the Government in ensuring we are all better equipped to deal with similar flooding events in the future.

“It is a very positive move and I look forward to people in western Victoria making full use of the opportunity to input into future planning,” he said.

Mr Delahunty said that an interim report would be submitted to the Premier by June 30, with the final report due on December 1 this year.