Victoria’s hardworking emergency services volunteers will receive more trucks, equipment and modern facilities to help keep communities safe – thanks to the Allan Labor Government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).
Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant today announced the recipients of this year’s VESEP grants.
This year’s round delivers more than $30 million in grants – the largest ever – across the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), Life Saving Victoria, Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue and other emergency service organisations.
Funding for this round includes almost $20 million for more than 40 vehicles, more than $5 million to update 15 facilities and more than $1 million for operational equipment across the state.
Some of this year’s recipients across the Bellarine include:
- Wallington CFA receiving $71,000 for a field command vehicle.
- Ocean Grove CFA receiving $69,334 for a BA support vehicle.
- Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club receiving $42,411 for equipment including rescue tubes, rescue boards and automatic defibrillators.
- Barwon Heads 13th Beach Surf Life Saving Club receiving $26,376 for a beach patrol trailer, IRB Thundercat Gen 3 and 2 x 25 HP IRB motors fully equipped including fuel cells.
- Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club receiving $21,325 for purchase of new IRB craft for surf rescue equipment and ten new surf rescue boards.
- Coast Watch Radio and Marine Rescue Squad Incorporated receiving $44,000 for an Isuzu D-Max 4x4 Crew Cab Ute SX 3.0L Auto.
VESEP is an annual grant program that helps Victorian emergency services volunteer groups purchase essential equipment or make facility improvements so that they can strengthen and support their vital work.
Groups can apply for a grant of up to $250,000 – a $100,000 increase from the previous maximum – with the Government contributing $2 for every $1 raised by the local volunteer group.
Thanks to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, VESEP funding will be doubled over the next four years with an additional $62 million invested to support volunteers. Every dollar raised through the Fund goes directly to emergency and disaster recovery services.
Over the past decade, the Labor Government has invested more than $168 million in VESEP grants, ensuring volunteers have the resources they need to protect Victorians.
A full list of this year’s VESEP grants is available at emv.vic.gov.au/vesep.
Quotes attributable to Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant
“Congratulations to all the volunteer groups in Bellarine receiving grants. The Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program is an important annual program providing essential support to our local volunteers, ensuring their equipment and facilities are kept up to date and enabling them to continue their tireless work keeping our region safe.”
