NORTHERN Grampians Shire Council and Ararat Rural City Council are among municipalities to share in funding to improve emergency responses.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Northern Grampians Shire will receive $120,000 funding, while Ararat and Southern Grampians will jointly share in a further $120,000.
The funding will go towards ensuring staff have the resources they need to prepare and protect their communities for emergencies.
Councils have the choice whether or not to partner with neighbouring councils to put together emergency response strategies.
Northern Grampians chief executive Justine Linley said the funding was imperative in the shire, which faced frequent extreme fire risk.
“It’s absolutely welcome and very vital,” she said.
“It enables us to continue with planning, preparation and implementation.”
Mrs Linley said the funding helped maintain the council's Municipal Resourcing Program, which included an officer dedicated solely to Northern Grampians. Many other councils share an emergency officer.
“It has made a world of difference, especially in the past two fire seasons which affected Rose Gap, Halls Gap and the Black Ranges,” she said.
The funding was announced by Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins and has been welcomed by the Member for Western Victoria, Jaala Pulford.
Ms Pulford said the three councils were key partners in emergency planning and management, with extensive local knowledge and a key connection to the community. Councils can be funded individually or in groups.