WARRAGUL and Erica SES units will lose regular funding from the Baw Baw Shire Council over the next two years.
Councillors voted to end Baw Baw’s co-contribution agreement with the State Government last week.
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Councillor Tony Wolfe said the council was phasing out funding rather than cutting ties suddenly, and no similar authorities receive a council co-contribution.
“This is a recommendation that puts the SES in line with other authorities that come under state funding,” Cr Wolfe said.
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The Baw Baw Shire Council presently matches the State Government’s State Operating Grant to the SES on top of other financial contributions.
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The rate of co-contribution will decrease to 50 per cent this financial year, halving again next financial year before ceasing in the 2014-2015 financial year.
The co-contribution was established in a 1989 agreement between the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and the SES.
The MAV now says the agreement is no longer binding as VicSES was made a statutory authority in 2005.
A report to councillors said while Baw Baw appreciates the work of local SES units, the funding “is neither appropriate nor sustainable” and “limits Council’s ability to directly fund [its] own municipal emergency management program.”
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