Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards MP today announced the Golden Square Fire Brigade would be one of six Emergency Services across Bendigo West and Bendigo East to receive funding through the latest round of Victorian Emergency Services and Equipment Program (VESEP) grants program.

More than $31 million will be shared across 350 projects across Victoria for CFA, VICSES, Life Saving Victoria, St Johns Ambulance and Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue.

The record round of VESEP grants delivers almost $20 million for vehicles, more than $5 million for facility upgrades and more than $1 million for other operational equipment.

This will deliver new trucks, boats and facility upgrades for volunteers in every region including in Central Victoria.

Labor is backing emergency services in Bendigo West and Bendigo East with:

     • Golden Square CFA: $76,400 for a new field command vehicle.
     • Junortoun CFA: $76,400 for a new field command vehicle.
     • Raywood CFA: $1,362 for portable lighting equipment.
     • Bendigo VICSES: $97,003.69 for a replacement road crash rescue tool kit.
     • Castlemaine VICSES (Bendigo West): $110,513.77 for a replacement Ford Ranger utility vehicle.
     • St John Ambulance Bendigo Division: $33,118 for kitchen and bathroom renovations.

Labor has doubled the investment in our emergency services including $2.4 billion this year.

"The Golden Square CFA station is another example of Labor’s record investment in our emergency services, with the brand-new CFA station delivered last year."

"Our emergency volunteers are there for Victorians when it matters most, and Labor is giving them the equipment and facilities they need to get the job done."

"A Liberal-National-One Nation Coalition will cut grants to CFA, SES, Lifesaving Victoria and other volunteers – you can’t cut $40 billion without cutting the emergency services Victorians rely on."