Fire risk: Volunteer firefighters get badly needed $50m boost

Volunteer firefighters have received a state funding boost of almost $50 million to keep their doors open as a vicious bushfire season approaches.

VOLUNTEER firefighters have received a state funding boost of almost $50 million to keep their doors open as a vicious bushfire season approaches.

But the extra money has sparked a political war of words after Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford accused the LNP of “scaremongering” and “shameless politicking”.

On Tuesday, Mr Crawford announced a new RFS budget of $47.1 million in an effort to help rural volunteers during bushfire season.

The LNP accused Mr Crawford of “using smoke and mirrors”, claiming he had not provided a breakdown of what the funds were for.

They also claimed the total funding was down from $53.5 million in the 2018-19 budget.

A bushfire threatening homes in the Gold Coast hinterland. Picture: Scott Fletcher.

Asked about the issue during Thursday’s Parliament meeting, Mr Crawford said the money would go towards operating expenses, new appliances and helping brigades with fuel and maintenance.

“I find it galling that members of the LNP have been running around spreading rumours about the budget for the Rural Fire Service decreasing,” he said.

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“Our brave volunteers deserve so much better than this shameless politicking from (the Opposition).

“(The budget) is up from the $40.8 million last year and it is a whopping 33 per cent higher than the amount in the LNP’s last budget.

“The LNP should stop running around the state scaremongering about the RFS budget and come clean with Queenslanders about their abysmal track record when it comes to rural fire brigades.”

A smoke haze over the Gold Coast recently. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

On Friday, Mr Crawford told the Bulletin: “Since 2015 we have fast-tracked the delivery of more than 330 new rural fire trucks, including 11 new appliances to brigades in Keppel, worth over $1.7 million.

“These trucks represent the biggest investment in the firefighting fleet in over 20 years, with the Palaszczuk Government delivering an average of 60 trucks every single year.

“When the LNP were in government they delivered a measly 68 trucks across their entire term of government.”

RFS received $53.53 million in funding in the 2018-19 budget, and $40.839 million in the 2019-20 budget.

A light plane waterbombing to make sure the Lower Beechmont fire containment lines hold during last year’s hinterland fires. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Gold Coast councillors last month voted to cease collection of the volunteer firefighter levy, leaving the city’s shocked volunteer brigades wondering how they would keep their doors open.

Gold Coast Rural Fire Brigade group officer Sam Eitz said his team had hoped the State Government would take on operating costs once the levy dried up.

“We haven’t heard anything from the Minister’s office, from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services or from RFS,” he said.

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“Basically, we’re left in the same situation we were in with the ceasing of the levy and no commitment of further funding after the financial year.”

Rural Fire Brigade members keep an eye on a fire in Lower Beechmont. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

He added it was difficult for firefighters on the Gold Coast to know how they will keep going.

“Without the funds operationally it’s a bit hard. Those funds go towards the power, the catering when there’s incidents with multiple volunteers out.

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“Without a strong commitment from either State or the council for a better funding model it’s a challenge to make it safe.

“Brigades would have to go back to the old fundraising ways and volunteers already give up enough of their time.”