Tuesday, 12 November 2024

Western Victoria Region

Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:53): (1224) My question is for the Minister for Emergency Services regarding the ageing fleet of CFA fire trucks in the Western Victoria Region. The Mount Rouse group of fire brigades, operated by a dedicated group of volunteers in my electorate, have six tankers, three of which are over 30 years old. These trucks are designed to have a maximum life span of 25 years and are operated in extremely high risk environments. Bushfire threat is escalating in severity and frequency due to climate change, with this coming summer expected to break temperature records. How is the Victorian government going to address the issue of the ageing fleet in the CFA so that their volunteers can continue to protect our rural communities from the increasing instability of our climate?