Ipswich’s State Emergency Service volunteers and local Rural Fire Service will have continued support through council’s 2022-2023 Budget.
Governance and Transparency Committee Chairperson Deputy Mayor Councillor Jacob Madsen said these volunteer-led organisations were always at the frontline when the community needed them most.
“We saw in the most recent flood events that the State Emergency Service (SES) and Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers were out in the community doing vital tasks such as sandbagging, re-supply, flood boat, doorknocking and cleanouts,” Cr Madsen said.
“The SES and RFS provide constant community benefit, such as assisting land searches, hazard reduction burns, community education and more.”
Ipswich rates notices include two levies that directly support local rural fire brigades.
- Rural Fire Levy Separate Charge – $3 per year on all rateable land
- Rural Fire Levy Special Charge – $39 per year on all rateable land that specifically benefits from Rural Fire Brigade services (about 1,940 properties)
Councillor Madsen said the funds raised in these levies, expected to be $347,000 in 2022-2023, went directly to the numerous local rural fire brigades servicing Ipswich.
Councillor Madsen said council and the State Government worked in partnership to meet the operational costs of the SES in Ipswich.
“The 2022-2023 council budget has $130,000 committed to supporting operational expenses for the four SES groups within the Ipswich City SES Unit,” Councillor Madsen said.
“Council also invests significant funds each year, up to $200,000-$300,000, on purchasing and maintaining assets for the SES such as vehicles, fuel, building repairs and equipment as part of our normal operational budget.
“This continued support enables SES volunteers to do what they do best when they are called on to help out.”
Councillor Madsen said he encourage Ipswich residents to consider volunteering for the SES or RFS.
“The training these volunteers undertake includes a variety of useful and important skills that help the community and are useful in everyday life,” Cr Madsen said.
For information on volunteering with the State Emergency Service or Rural Fire Service see qfes.qld.gov.au
For more information about council’s 2022-2023 Budget, visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/budget
