The McGowan Labor Government is investing an additional $67 million to support emergency services across Western Australia in the 2022-23 State Budget.
In response to a number of recent natural disasters, including Severe Tropical Cyclone Seroja and the Wooroloo bushfire, the State Government has announced an additional $4.2 million for the deployment of more officers and contractors to assist in the recovery from these disasters.
The State Government remains deeply committed to supporting the long-term recovery of the communities impacted by these devastating events.
In a major boost to WA’s aerial firefighting fleet, $11 million over four years has been committed to secure WA’s first Large Air Tanker (LAT) to be based permanently in WA during the bushfire season.
The LAT will be based in WA each year from December to March, when the State is at its most vulnerable to the threat of bushfires. The State has previously relied on requesting available aircraft from the east coast through the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Aerial Firefighting Centre.
In addition, $12.5 million has been committed to establish a new aviation and maintenance facilities base at the Jandakot Airport precinct.
The base will allow the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to house all its current aircraft (including the Emergency Rescue Service Helicopters) and aviation maintenance at the one facility, optimising aviation emergency management and delivering shorter response and recovery times.
The State’s emergency management website, Emergency WA, which plays a major role in informing the community of emergency incidents across the State, will undergo a major $15.9 million upgrade.
These improvements will ensure critical information in emergency situations is more easily accessible and user-friendly.
This will primarily be funded with $10.4 million from the Digital Capability Fund and $3.4 million from additional Emergency Services Levy revenue.
The Direct Brigade Alarm Network for building alarms across the State will also be upgraded from 3G to 4G connectivity at a cost of $3.9 million.
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As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Western Australia’s career and volunteer emergency services personnel are often the first responders on the frontline and play a vital role in keeping the WA community safe.
“This year’s State Budget will provide more resources, upgraded equipment and an overhaul of the Emergency WA website to ensure the State’s emergency services remain at the forefront.
“Western Australia is the largest emergency management jurisdiction in the southern hemisphere, which is why our Government continues to significantly invest in our emergency services.
“During bushfires and emergencies, it’s imperative that Emergency WA is one of the key avenues for public information to be distributed and that’s why it’s essential for the website to be user-friendly with modern capabilities.
“The McGowan Government remains steadfast in its investment in our emergency services workforce and capabilities.”
