- The Miles Government is investing in new State Emergency Service (SES) vehicles, equipment and facility upgrades.
- SES Support Grant Program is an annual initiative through the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES).
- 60 SES groups across Queensland are sharing in more than $3.7 million to boost disaster response capability.
Sixty Queensland State Emergency Service groups from the Gold Coast and the Outback to the Gulf region and Cape York are sharing in more than $3.7 million in Miles Government funding through the QFES SES Support Grants initiative.
We're investing in the new SES equipment, vehicles and facility upgrades that more than 5,000 volunteers in orange rely on for disaster recovery and rescue work and keeping Queenslanders safe.
Key SES initiatives nominated by local Queensland councils include:
- More than $248,000 for new vehicles for Arana Hills, Bribie Island Deception Bay, Redcliffe and Woodford SES groups in the Moreton Bay Region
- $150,000 for facility upgrades for the Caboolture, Petrie, Redcliffe and Woodford SES
- $140,000 for replacement vehicles at Keppel Sands, Stanage Bay, Livingstone and Marlborough SES groups in the Livingstone Shire Council area
- Almost $294,000 for a new office and replacement vehicle for the SES at Wujal Wujal in Far North Queensland
- $114,000 for a new vehicle and facility upgrade at the Mornington Island SES
- $107,000 for Whitsunday SES at Proserpine, Cannonvale and Bowen
- $109,000 to replace SES vehicles Tewantin and Cooroy including a new Troop Carrier
- $99,000 for new Outback SES vehicles at Jundah, Winton and Croydon and;
- $273,000 to deliver SES facility upgrades and additions at Isisford, Gregory, Richmond, Thargomindah and Charleville
The $3.7 million in QFES SES grants to local councils in this year's round are covering the entire cost of SES facility upgrades and 75 per cent of new and replacement SES vehicles such as four-wheel-drives, up from 50 per cent in 2023.
Fire and Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd said:
"This year has been exceptionally busy for emergency responders, and we know these facility upgrades and new vehicles will be welcomed by SES volunteers.
"Whether its severe weather events like cyclones and floods or supporting rescues and missing person searches, there are more than 5,000 Queensland SES volunteers backing Queenslanders state-wide.
"These SES grants are an investment in disaster resilience and the well-being of Queenslanders by ensuring our orange SES army has the infrastructure and equipment it needs to fast-track community recovery.
"We've more than doubled SES funding, compared with the LNP's shameful record of cuts which forced many emergency workers and volunteers to pay for their own safety equipment.
"The Miles Labor Government will always support the SES and the safety of Queensland communities."
Police and Community Safety Minister Mark Ryan:
"I welcome this funding for our highly valued SES volunteers especially as it comes at a time of historic reform for our front-line volunteer capabilities.
"As of next week, the SES will exist as its own separate entity, with its own Chief Officer, and will be hosted by the Queensland Police Service.
"It will mean the SES has a significantly enhanced budget and extra permanent staff to ensure SES volunteers get the support and investments they so thoroughly deserve."
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner Steve Smith said:
"The assistance and support provided by our volunteers during this year's demanding severe weather season exemplifies the importance of a well-funded and well-equipped State Emergency Service.
"With Queensland being a state of climate extremes, it is critical that SES groups are armed with essential state-of-the-art equipment necessary for effective disaster response.
"These grants demonstrate the high regard with which Queenslanders hold the orange army and is a testament to the lasting positive impact the SES has on local communities."
State Emergency Service (SES) Chief Officer Mark Armstrong said:
"Our volunteers and staff are extremely dedicated to the work they do, especially during times of disaster.
"Extra vehicles and facility upgrades will be a huge benefit to the SES volunteers as well as the local communities receiving this important equipment.
"Upgraded and advanced tools will not only help bolster our efforts in keeping the community safe but will ensure our volunteers feel safe as well."
Radio news audio: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hwjaob1p4i038ryjm91b4/240531-SES-grants-Minister-Boyd.mp3?rlkey=l6gfrkdwqzyzgkhz7sjpbt6hv&st=kfnskm35&dl=0
