RATE capping has caused some Victorian councils to reconsider how they provide funding to state emergency services but the message from Kingston Council is clear: ‘We stand by our SES volunteers’.
Kingston councillors at last month’s public council meeting unanimously backed unwavering support for the Chelsea SES Unit that responds to incidents across the Kingston and Frankston areas.
A statement of support was tabled to reaffirm council’s ongoing commitment to provide operational and accommodation support to the SES and its volunteers.
“Kingston has always enjoyed a really strong relationship with the Chelsea SES and this statement of support is simply putting in words our long-term commitment to support the SES and acknowledge the vital role they play in our community,” Kingston mayor Cr Tamsin Bearsley said.
Chelsea SES Unit controller Ron Fitch said he welcomed council’s formal statement of support.
“At a time when there is concern within some SES units regarding changes to the funding arrangements from local Council, this positive, ongoing support, once again confirms the great relationship Chelsea SES has always enjoyed with the City of Kingston.”
Kingston Council had previously indicated it had no intention of cutting back support to both the Chelsea and Moorabbin SES units (‘SES safe from cash cuts’, The News 27/5/15) but a subsequent Melbourne tabloid newspaper report this year that claimed Kingston Council may ditch SES funding prompted councillors to reiterate support for emergency services volunteers last month.
Victoria SES chief executive officer Stephen Griffin welcomed Kingston Council’s public show of support for emergency services.
“The Victoria State Emergency Service are very supportive of Kingston Council and their commitment to the Chelsea Unit and we look forward to the ongoing relationship between the council, Chelsea SES Unit and the Kingston community.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 6 July 2016
