General News
7 November, 2023
Riordan calls for more CFA funds
MEMBER for Polwarth and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Richard Riordan has called on more funding for the CFA. He said the latest Bureau of Meteorology data confirms soil moisture levels are below average in much of Victoria’s south west...
MEMBER for Polwarth and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Richard Riordan has called on more funding for the CFA.
He said the latest Bureau of Meteorology data confirms soil moisture levels are below average in much of Victoria’s south west, including the Otway and Surf Coasts, as a predicted hot and dry summer increases the risk of a dangerous fire season.
Mr Riordan said the data comes amid a 20 per cent decrease in the number of operational CFA volunteers and lowered recruitment targets for CFA.
He said additional figures from the CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria show the number of planned hazard reduction burns has fallen slightly compared to the average, despite ballooning coastal populations and increased bushfire risk.
“With a growing bushfire risk this summer, now is the worst time possible for Labor to weaken the CFA,” Mr Riordan said.
“It’s vital the Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes does everything in her power to prepare at risk areas and not sleepwalk into a dangerous summer bushfire season.
“Now is the time to support the CFA, increase firefighting capacity, and meet hazard reduction burn targets, not let all three become the latest casualties of Labor’s budget mismanagement.”
“(It) will reduce the amount of litter in Victoria by up to half – contributing to a more sustainable future, while putting money back in the pockets of hardworking Victorians,” he said.
“CDS Vic will maximise the number of cans, bottles and cartons being recycled into new products and keep them out of landfill.”