Tuesday, 29 October 2024

Emergency services

Nick McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:37): (707) My question is for the Minister for Emergency Services. Last week the Premier outlined in a media release plans to release greenfield sites to develop 180,000 new homes and a dozen industrial estates over the next 10 years – a three-page plan. According to the three-page plan, horizons 1 and 2 are due for completion by 2028 and 2033 respectively.

A member interjected.

Nick McGOWAN: No, I am doing just fine for time. Minister, was your department or Fire Rescue Victoria consulted about this announcement, and if so, how many new fire stations and fire trucks have been planned and budgeted for to service these 180,000 homes and the dozen industrial estates?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:38): Thank you, Mr McGowan, for your question. I do appreciate the issue that you have raised, but it is a matter for the planning minister’s responsibility and remit. But I can assure you that the planning minister and I meet regularly in relation to the emergency services provisions for not just new estates but areas where there is population growth and the like. We talk about the disruptions to construction and making sure that everybody is aligned – our emergency services organisations as well as transport – ensuring that we know where the roads may be disrupted and the like. These are always ongoing conversations, but the specifics for the provision of new infrastructure in planning approvals, whether it is a new school, a new fire station et cetera, sit with the Minister for Planning.

Nick McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:39): Can I thank the minister for her answer. Can I also leave everyone in this place under no misapprehension in thinking that the 10-year plan is somehow remarkable. In the four years of our previous government 220 lots were not only announced but released. That was in four years, 220, not 100,000 homes promised but not delivered in 10 years. In any case, my supplementary question to the minister is: given your government announced the building of the Clyde North and Armstrong Creek fire stations in 2017 and not a sod has been turned in seven years, how can Victorians considering building homes or industry in these areas have any confidence that they will receive emergency services provided by Fire Rescue Victoria within the timeframes outlined in the Premier’s comprehensive three-page plan?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:40): Of course FRV firefighters do a tremendous job in responding to emergencies, but they are part of a complementary fire services system involving the CFA as well, so there are a number of factors to be considered when you are looking at the allocation of resources to ensure the safety of the community. I can ensure that we have regular conversations in relation to the provision of those services, particularly with the Minister for Planning.