Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today congratulated the Alpine Shire on an innovative bushfire safety solution which has attracted $30,000 in Victorian Coalition Government funding under the new $5 million Fire Ready Communities program.

Dr Sykes said the Alpine Shire will will use the grant to assist with the establishment of a touch screen information facility at Bright Tourism and Information Centre.

“The touch screen will be accessible 24 hours a day and will provide up to date emergency information in a community that is recognised as being a high bushfire risk.

“The technology will be particularly important in keeping locals and importantly the many summer visitors to the area informed in the event of a bushfire threat.”

The Victorian Government’s Fire Ready Communities program is open to applications from councils and community groups to fund local, commonsense projects to increase community bushfire preparedness and safety.

Dr Sykes said Alpine Shire Council was one of the first to receive a grant and was among ten projects across the state to share in over $306,000 in funding.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Response Peter Ryan said the government had established the Fire Ready Communities program to help bushfire-prone communities build resilience and prepare for a safer future.

“The Fire Ready Communities program will provide $5 million grants over four years for projects across the state's high-risk bushfire communities,” Mr Ryan said.
“Communities have the expert, on the ground knowledge to determine solutions to help make their local areas safer and ensure local residents are better equipped to respond in a future bushfire,” Mr Ryan said.

Dr Sykes encouraged other communities in high risk bushfire areas throughout north east Victoria to consider applying for funding under the program.

“In recent times north east Victoria has experienced significant bushfires in 2003, 2006/07 and 2009 and it is important that communities continue to implement strategies to help keep communities and residents safe from the threat of bushfire.”

To apply for Fire Ready Communities grants, local councils and community organisations should contact the Department of Planning and Community Development in their region or visit www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/contact-us

The community of Thornton will be better protected from bushfires following the official opening of the new $383,000 fire station on Sunday 16 October, Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said today.
Officially opening the station on behalf of the Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Response, Peter Ryan, Dr Sykes said the new building provides brigade members with a modern base, which replaces an outdated galvanized shed built in the 1960s.
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said the building would better equip brigade members to continue providing essential emergency services to the community.
“For the residents of Thornton and the surrounding region, the new station represents an investment in the safety of the community,” Dr Sykes said.
“Thornton brigade’s 42 members work tirelessly to protect life and property and I am confident that the new station will serve the brigade for many years to come and ensures that its members are equipped to continue serving the local community.”
Dr Sykes said the 72 year-old brigade had made a significant contribution to major fires across the state, including the 2009 Black Saturday fires, as well as interstate, and provided invaluable support to surrounding communities as part of the Alexandra Group of Brigades.
He said many long serving members have given significant and valuable service to their community.
The new station will for the first time house the brigade’s tanker and ultra-light tanker under one roof.
It also includes a meeting room, kitchen, office area and other support facilities and incorporates the latest in environmentally sustainable building design.
Dr Sykes said the residents of Thornton have shown great community spirit over the years by raising thousands of dollars to improve the station.
“Recently the Brigade Auxiliary raised $10,000 over two years, which is a commendable effort.”
“CFA brigades have a critical role in fostering community networks, and that is evident in the tremendous fundraising efforts of the Brigade’s Auxiliary,” Dr Sykes said.
The function was attended by CFA Operations Officer John Leben, life members Bill Rollason and Jack Robb with Dot Willingham, the widow of past captain Peter Willingham, travelling from Melbourne for the occasion. Peter Rice AFSM, represented the Alexandra Fire Brigades Group and neighbouring brigades were also present and Captain Phil Cox spoke on behalf of the brigade.
The official opening also included the presentation of Life Membership to Graeme Robb who has achieved 45 years of service, was an officer of the brigade for 41 years and captain for 10 years. The brigade has only awarded four life memberships in its 72 years existence and has had only eight captains in that time.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan said local volunteer agencies such as the Thornton CFA were the backbone of Victoria’s emergency service response.
“CFA is one of the world’s largest volunteer-based emergency service organisations with 59,000 members,” Mr Ryan said.
“Victoria is proud to support more than 90,000 emergency services volunteers by equipping them with the essential tools and equipment they need to save lives and property.”
The station was funded under the State Government’s Rural Fire Stations Program.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes this week welcomed new legislation introduced into Parliament that clarifies the leadership and organisational responsibilities in relation to emergency management.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday 11 October 2011 Dr Sykes said, “The Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 puts in place some very simple principles in relation to emergency management.
“The bill being introduced reflects the leadership of the Premier and the Deputy Premier. They have assessed the situation, recognising that the Bushfires Royal Commission made 67 recommendations.
“They then made a commitment to deliver on each and every one of those recommendations. There was no wishy-washy ‘may’ or ‘may not’; they stood, and they will deliver.”
Recommendation 11 highlights that operational responsibilities do not rest with the minister but with the operational managers.
Dr Sykes said, “Under this bill it is clear that the minister will not be responsible for operational management issues; that will be up to the operational management experts.”
The bill also addresses Recommendation 54 regarding the ability to delegate and ensure that appropriate decisions are made under appropriate circumstances.
Dr Sykes said, “This is extremely important because in emergency situations those at the top cannot be everywhere, cannot make every decision and cannot be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“The bill makes it clear when powers can be delegated, and that when the delegation of power and the responsibility shifts to the shoulders of another person, they must deliver.
“This approach will enable that decision making and responsibility happen closer to the grassroots so that we can have the appropriate action taken at the appropriate time and help avert tragic consequences as seen during the 2009 bushfires, which in part, were caused by a failure to take the right decisions at the right time.
“The bill also broadens the power of the State Emergency Service (SES) director of operations and provides the ability to delegate in general.”
Dr Sykes said the Baillieu-Ryan Government is taking an all-inclusive approach to emergency management including putting the volunteers charter in legislation.
“This legislation recognises the efforts of people like Tom Brodie and Max Cox in Longwood, Peter Rice from Alexandra and many others who have put their lives on the line, not just for a moment, not just for 24 hours, but day after day.
“In addition to the efforts of volunteers, which we recognise, I acknowledge the efforts of our salaried CFA people, such as Sooty Kreltszheim and Gary Cook, who stood shoulder to shoulder with our volunteers through some very tough times.”
Dr Sykes concluded by reinforcing his strong support for the Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 to ensure its swift passage through the Parliament.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today announced that north east Victoria will receive 10 out of 45 new ‘burn mix’ trailers to be built and distributed by the Victorian Coalition Government for use in planned burning operations across Victoria.

Dr Sykes said, “The trailers will be housed at key locations throughout north east Victoria with two currently stationed at Benalla.

“By the end of October north east Victoria will have 10 trailers located in the Goulburn, Ovens and Murrindindi fire districts.

“Planned burns are an important fire risk activity that protects lives, homes and the environment in Victoria.”

‘Burn mix’ trailers are critical to the planned burning process with each 'burn mix’ trailer consisting of 10 drip torches, two x 200 litre drums, jerry cans, a spill kit, toolbox, bonding cable and a hand pump allowing crews to decant and mix the diesel petrol solution used in planned burning.

The drip torch is the main tool used for the safe lighting of large areas in the planned burning process – it allows the operator to manage directly how much bush is lit depending on the conditions.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said that the new trailers are worth more than $500,000 and will provide additional assistance to the Victorian Government’s planned burns program.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to implementing the 67 recommendations of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, including increasing planned burning across the state.

“In 2010-11 more than 188,000ha of planned burning was completed. This is the largest program completed in more than 20 years. These new trailers will assist us with the planned burns program,” Mr Smith said.

The Department of Sustainability and Environment has already built 15 of the new units and they are now ready for use in planned burning operations across Victoria.

It is anticipated that all 45 ‘burn mix’ trailers will be finished, delivered and ready for use by the end of October.

The Victorian Coalition Government’s planned burn program helps protect life, property and the environment by reducing fuel levels and maintaining the health of plants and animals.

For more information about upcoming burns and the planned burns program, please visit www.dse.vic.gov.au.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes encourages interested members of the public to attend a community meeting at the Benalla Performing Arts Centre on Powerline Bushfire Safety.
A number of community consultations have been held across Victoria throughout May and the meeting to be held in Benalla on Thursday 9 June will focus on providing communities throughout the Benalla Electorate with an opportunity to attend.
Previous meetings have been held at Colac, Ararat, Macedon, Whittlesea, Healesville and Bairnsdale with Benalla to be the final scheduled meeting.
The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission found that a number of the major fires which led to the tragic deaths of 173 people were started by electricity assets.
Dr Sykes said, “It is my understanding that the Beechworth fire was started by powerlines.
“The Baillieu-Ryan Government is investing more than $900 million to implement all of the Bushfires Royal Commission’s recommendations and are delivering on this election commitment, including the investigation of the full range of options to reduce the risks of catastrophic bushfires from electricity infrastructure.
“In response to this commitment the Baillieu-Ryan Government has directed the Powerline Bushfire Safety Taskforce (PBST) to investigate.”
Dr Sykes said that the Royal Commission highlighted the fact that all Victorians have a role to play in bushfire safety and community members throughout the Benalla Electorate who wish to be a part of this community consultation and engagement should consider attending the meeting.
The PBST has released a consultation paper which is available from the website of Energy Safe Victoria at www.esv.vic.gov.au.
Interested members from communities throughout North East Victoria can either attend the meeting at the Benalla Performing Arts Centre on Thursday 9 June from 7.30pm to 9.00pm or take up the opportunity to comment on the information in the consultation paper.
Anyone interested in attending should notify their intention at least two business days before the meeting to Gabriela Listro on 03 9203 9788 or email glistro@esv.vic.gov.au.

The Mansfield and Alpine Shires will benefit from financial assistance to undertake essential planning activities identified within the recommendations of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission (VBRC) Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said today.
The funding forms part of a Victorian Coalition Government key election commitment to implement all the recommendations of the Bushfire Royal Commission.
Dr Sykes said, “Mansfield and Alpine Shires will each receive $120,000 to ensure they are able to implement important bushfire planning provisions for their municipality.
“The Baillieu-Ryan Government is also working on a detailed response to the needs of Murrindindi Shire Council, which was severely impacted by the February 2009 bushfires.”
The VBRC made specific recommendations to the State Government to encourage councils to introduce bushfire policy in their planning schemes.
Dr Sykes said that this funding will enable these shires to prepare necessary planning scheme amendments without imposing a financial burden upon ratepayers.
“Importantly this will help the keep the cost of living for bushfire affected communities down,” Dr Sykes said.
The funding will also go towards education and training to improve bushfire risk management in the planning system.
The Department of Planning and Community Development has been working closely with the local government sector to implement the new bushfire planning provisions.
“Mansfield, Alpine and Murrindindi Shires have all experienced additional financial and management pressures due to the impact of major bushfires over the past decade.
“The Baillieu-Ryan Government’s proactive approach will enable councils to be better equipped to develop new content for the local planning policy framework, link the planning system to broader municipal fire prevention activities and engage with residents about creating safer communities.”
Dr Sykes said the funding will also allow shires to be able to identify specific risk mitigation in response to the nature of the bushfire risk in their area by developing schedules for a new bushfire overlay.

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes contributed to the debate in Parliament on the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations on Wednesday 11 August and said that now is the time for action.

Dr Sykes opened his address by first acknowledging the pain of the tragic loss of 173 people, two from the Benalla Electorate.

“Thousands of people have had their lives scarred forever as a result of this experience,” he said.

Dr Sykes also acknowledged the magnificent effort of the thousands of volunteers, both the emergency services and others including the Country Women’s Association and the Red Cross.

He praised the efforts and compassion of the commissioners and their assisting counsellors and staff.

Dr Sykes told Parliament, “Of the issues that I would like to focus on number one is – the time has come to act. Enough of the talk. The Premier and the Brumby Government should act and implement all 67 of the recommendations.”

Dr Sykes outlined his other major concerns arising from the recommendations of the Royal Commission;

1. The potentially unbearable financial impact on local government being expected to put in place a number of measures including neighbourhood safer places, municipal fire plans, roadside vegetation management and fuel reduction activities. Small local government areas, such as Mansfield, Alpine, Murrindindi, Strathbogie and Benalla simply cannot afford this. The government must immediately confirm that a substantial amount of money will be put towards local government to help it implement these recommendations.
2. The government must address the ongoing issue of silted up dams and severe gully erosion as a result of fire denuding crown land. There must be financial help to address these problems.
3. There is an ongoing need for mental health services – bushfire survivors are still hurting and must have easy access to mental health counselling. People, who need help, are experiencing problems accessing assistance. A hands-on approach, such as mental health outreach workers, is desperately needed in this protracted recovery period after the bushfires.
4. There is the need to move to a property-based Fire Services Levy with concessions for people on low incomes. The current system places an unfair burden on home and business owners, particularly in regional Victoria, by way of imposing an additional tax on top of insurance premiums to fund fire services.

Dr Sykes said any further debate that has been flagged should be about the implementation rather than about to proceed or not to proceed.

Dr Sykes concluded, “The time has come for the Premier to show leadership and not continue to consult about whether he will or will not implement these recommendations – the remaining eight on which he is not prepared to commit to.

“The time has come for the Premier to commit, and in the words of the great Victorian Football League coach John Kennedy, now is the time for the Premier to ‘do something’.”

John Brumby must immediately act on the recommendations of the Bushfire Royal Commission according to Bill Sykes, Nationals Member for Benalla.
Dr Sykes said, “It is critical that Mr Brumby immediately ramp up fuel reduction burning and address telecommunications black holes before this fire season.
“Mr Brumby must also ensure that those recovering from the 2009 fires are provided with continuing mental health support and that government agencies adopt a ‘can do’ attitude rather than ‘can’t do’ attitude in respect to a wide range of recovery activities.”
Dr Sykes continued, “I also welcome Ted Baillieu’s & Peter Ryan’s immediate support in principle for all 67 recommendations and their commitment to implement them in government.
“I am particularly encouraged that the recommendation to replace the inequitable fire services levy on insurance premiums with a property based system which works well in several other Australian States.
“The recommendations regarding upgrading powerlines or putting power underground, whilst expensive, are clearly an integral part of reducing the risk of major bushfires in future.
“It was also interesting to note that the Royal Commission report dismissed claims by the Brumby Government that these fires were unprecedented – a claim which Mr Brumby had used to justify his failure to implement key recommendations from reports of previous fires including the 2003 & 2006/07 fires.
“I am concerned that the recommendations are broad by nature and will therefore give an uncommitted Government room to wriggle out of implementing them.
“The State Government must not shift the cost and responsibility of implementing the recommendations to Local Government.
“In particular, the State Government must assist with the preparation and maintenance of neighbourhood safer places, municipal management plans and action plans for our vulnerable people.
“I also strongly support the recommendations for strengthened leadership – something that was clearly lacking.”
Dr Sykes concluded, “The handing down of this report is another step towards closure for the families of the 173 people who lost their lives and the thousands of other people whose lives will never be the same.
“Let’s all work together to help those still recovering from the fires and to implement the many recommendations which will reduce the risk of fire and improve our ability to combat fires and recover from them.”

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today welcomed the Brumby Labor Government announcement of more than $6.8 million to go to 120 local volunteer emergency services groups throughout Victoria.
The funding will assist local Country Fire Authority (CFA), State Emergency Service (SES) and other emergency service groups to secure extra equipment to help keep Victoria safe during times of natural disaster such as fire, floods and storms.
Dr Sykes said, “Our volunteers play a vital role in protecting communities in an emergency as evidenced by their response to recent intense storms which caused significant damage in the Myrtleford region and the 2009, 2006/07 and 2003 mega bushfires.”
Dr Sykes noted that the bulk of fire service funding comes from the Fire Services Levy (FSL) which is paid by those who take out insurance.
“It is widely recognised that the current FSL system is unfair and inequitable. The Liberal-National Coalition has promised, in government, to introduce a fairer funding model so that the funding of fire services is not a tax burden only on Victorians who do the right thing and take out insurance.”
The State Government has said that the additional funding for extra emergency equipment will help local brigades and units to carry out their important work.
“CFA volunteers in the past four years have been required to control mega fires on both private and crown land.
“To increase emergency service equipment alone though is not enough,” Dr Sykes said. “The Government has a responsibility to reduce fuel loads through increased control burns to help volunteer CFA volunteer fire fighters control wild fires.
“Longwood CFA has also expressed their ongoing concern with fuel loads along the Hume Freeway and cable barriers which restrict access, an issue which I have put before the Minister for Roads.”
Dr Sykes said that this round of CSESP funding has finally seen the Tatong CFA allocated an Ultra Light Tanker, which was promised last year and not delivered.
“Let’s hope it is delivered this year,” Dr Sykes said, “as this is an issue which I have previously raised with the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.”
Dr Sykes said the delivery of Field Command Vehicles for Ovens Valley, Moyhu and Longwood CFA’s, an Ultra Light Tanker for Mudgegonga and a Thermal Imaging Camera for Benalla would provide essential additional resources.
Myrtleford SES will receive a Storm Trailer and Bright SES a 4WD vehicle with the option to buy out the lease of the existing 4WD.
“The Ovens Valley deserves this support after wearing massive costs of three mega bushfires in six years and the cost to the Alpine Shire in establishing Neighbourhood Safer Places as part of their excellent approach to fire risk management.
“This achievement has been undertaken with minimal financial support by the Brumby Government.”
Dr Sykes said the Brumby Government must ensure that other CFA units such as Mansfield, Jamieson, Tolmie, Bonnie Doon, Euroa, Nagambie and Eildon, who did not receive CSESP funding this time, had the equipment needed to properly respond to emergencies and protect their communities.

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said he was pleased to hear the lawyers for the Bushfire Royal Commission have joined with the Victorian Liberal National Coalition in acknowledging the current Fire Services Levy (FSL) model is inequitable and should be changed.
“For a long time I have been calling for changes to the Fire Service Levy (FSL) and I welcome the Counsel Assisting’s submission to the Royal Commission today which states that the current FSL model should be abandoned and replaced with a property based model,” Dr Sykes said.
Dr Sykes said the current FSL, which funds fire services including the Country Fire Authority, is grossly unfair in its current form because it encourages people to under-insure or to not insure at all.
“Only those who take out insurance actually contribute to fire services by way of an additional tax on insurance premiums,” Dr Sykes said.
“The Brumby Government has refused to act despite growing anger and frustration over the FSL expressed by businesses and home owners,” Dr Sykes said.
“The Brumby Government has known for years how unfair and inequitable the FSL is but it has done nothing – everyone except John Brumby acknowledges that his government’s Fire Services Levy is a tax.
“The Victorian Liberal National Coalition in government is committed to implementing a fairer system than the one that currently stands,” Dr Sykes said.