By ANEEKA SIMONIS
PAKENHAM SES will continue to provide emergency assistance to Cardinia Shire Council despite the council’s plans to cease paying for the volunteer group’s insurance.
Last week, the Pakenham Gazette revealed Cardinia Shire Council’s plans to end its funding agreements with Pakenham SES in July.
The council will withdraw $6000 from the all-volunteer group which will now be pushed further to raise enough money to cover its insurance costs.
The loss could prevent the emergency service from upgrading its life-saving equipment such as a rescue truck which is nearing the end of its 12-year operational lifespan.
Pakenham SES volunteer Shayne Honey said the loss of funding brings the council’s contribution to the emergency service group to nil despite other Victorian councils matching the funds committed annually by the State Government.
“The withdrawal of the insurance funding as well as council’s lack of contribution as per the Emergency Service Unit Subsidy funding agreement, where council has failed to match State Government funding of almost $16,000 per year over recent years, will result in no fiscal funding for operational requirements,” he said.
According to the CEO of the SES Stephen Griffin, councils across the state contribute between $6000 and $15,000 per unit.
Local Government Minister Jane Hutchins slammed the cuts as unacceptable on 3AW radio.
“I’m pretty shocked. Cutting money to emergency services is pretty extreme and it’s a pretty long bow to be drawing,” she said.
Despite the council’s lack of committed financial support, Pakenham SES will continue to provide emergency support to the community and council.
“Our volunteers will continue our operational responsibilities, responding to freeing trapped occupants in car crashes, assisting residents in need in the event of storm damage to a home and removing trees from roads council are responsible for during strong winds,” Mr Honey said.
The council’s Community, Risk and Emergency manager Myles O’Reilly said the council chose to withdrawn funding as it is not the “most appropriate” way to support the group.
“Our decision is based on what is the most appropriate way for council to support local SES branches.
“We are currently having constructive discussions with the VICSES (Victoria State Emergency Service) Regional Manager as to how this will be provided into the future,” he said.
Mr O’Reilly said the VICSES is responsible for paying branch costs since becoming an independent statutory authority in 2005.
“Insurance would best be secured by the Victorian Government for all of its assets.
“This is similar to other emergency service agencies and is the most appropriate process,” he said.
Pakenham SES rejected the council’s explanation saying that it had a responsibility to share in the costs of the unit that provides direct help to the council.
“It is the Pakenham SES’s position that management of emergencies in Cardinia shire is a shared responsibility between Pakenham SES, council and other emergency bodies, dependent on the emergency situation,” Mr Honey said.
He said the unit hopes future discussions between VICSES and council will lead to the restoration of vital funds.
Mr O’Reilly canned suggestions that the council made the decision because of rate capping.
“This was not a financial decision,” he said.
The funding cuts mean volunteers have to donate more time to fundraise money to support the unit.
