The State Government is being urged to commit funding to Surf Life Saving Victoria (SLSV) to ensure East Gippsland and Wellington Shire ratepayers are not left to cover the cost of government cuts.
Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said SLSV had written to coastal councils across Victoria warning that with state funding not yet guaranteed for this summer, councils would be forced to make up the shortfall to maintain lifesaving services.
“East Gippsland Shire Council has been told its contribution will more than double, from $56,000 to $105,000,” Mr Bull said.
“Wellington Shire’s contribution will increase from $32,000 to $66,000, South Gippsland from $33,000 to $113,000, Warrnambool from $23,000 to $77,000 and Mornington will skyrocket from $90,000 to $351,000.”
Mr Bull said this comes at the same time the Allan Labor Government is imposing a massive new Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund levy – stripping nearly $5 million from East Gippsland Shire Council and around $10 million from Wellington.
“Ratepayers should not be forced to pick up the slack because Jacinta Allan has failed to guarantee SLSV’s funding for this summer,” he said.
“This is not just the Opposition raising concerns, SLSV itself has made it clear that without certainty it will be forced to reduce services. Councils have always contributed, but it has been on a shared-responsibility basis with government.
“SLSV delivers thousands of volunteer hours every summer, but there are also paid lifesavers and operational costs that must be met. Without proper funding, patrol levels will suffer.”
Mr Bull said the situation was yet another example of a government that cannot manage money and is now penny-pinching at the expense of country Victorians.
