THE State Labor Government’s response to the inquiry into the October 2022 floods has failed to deliver the expected funding improvements for the Shepparton and Echuca Moama Search and Rescue Squads.
Despite their operational effectiveness under severe resource constraints, Recommendation 57 of the inquiry called for increased funding to ensure these squads’ optimal response capabilities. Recommendation 49 also urged more funding for volunteer training to boost emergency response capacity.
Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, criticised the government for excluding these independent squads from the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF), which replaces the Fire Services Levy. The ESVF will fund agencies like VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, and Emergency Management Victoria, but not the Shepparton and Echuca Moama squads, which operate independently of VICSES.
Ms Lovell called on the government to implement Recommendations 49 and 57, ensuring fair funding for these critical rescue teams. She also noted that directing them to apply for the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP)—an annual grant for equipment—fails to provide ongoing funding for training and operations.
“Despite the Allan Labor government leading the inquiry, and Labor committee members supporting the recommendations, Labor have abandoned Victoria’s two independent emergency services when it comes to implementing the report’s recommendations,” said Ms Lovell.
“The Minister must ensure that Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad and the Echuca and Moama Search and Rescue Squad get their fair share of funding from the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, along with all the other emergency services.”
