Members of Parliament have been working to secure a more secure future for the Footscray State Emergency Service unit.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, March 9, Greens Melbourne MP Ellen Sandell asked the government to commit to better funding for the unit.
“They do not have the funding to properly resource their operations to serve and protect the
community, especially as climate disasters get worse,” she said.
“They operate out of the back of a dusty shed used by the local council as a vehicle thoroughfare, creating hazardous working conditions.
“They do not even have enough vehicles to respond to emergencies, with their boat being reallocated to another unit.”
Ms Sandell said the unit is operating on the “smell of an oily rag”.
“Their tin shed office can barely even get phone reception or wi-fi,” she said.
“The working conditions make it hard for them to get enough volunteers.
“With disasters increasing due to climate change, our community relies on the SES to respond.”
Footscray MP Katie Hall and Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes visited the Footscray SES unit earlier this month to thank the volunteers for their work and discuss their needs and the next steps in the plan to acquire better equipment and accommodation.
Ms Hall said she was especially grateful for the volunteers’ efforts during the October 2022 Maribyrnong River flood event.’
“These community members do so much for us, every day,” she said.
“I am working closely together with the minister to find a new home for the Footscray SES unit.
“We want to best support the SES – so they can keep supporting us.”
Matthew Sims
