❓ Question regarding the funding of fire hydrant installation and maintenance, particularly concerning the Emergency Services Levy and the responsibilities of local governments versus FESA. The answer clarifies existing legislative responsibilities and ongoing review processes.
AnsweredQoN 1919Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Will the Minister advise if discussions are being held with Western Australian Local Government Associations regarding installation of fire hydrants?
(2) If so, is this part of the review process into the Emergency Services Levy?
(3) If not, is it proposed to use funds from the Fire and Emergency Levy to install fire hydrants?
(2) If so, is this part of the review process into the Emergency Services Levy?
(3) If not, is it proposed to use funds from the Fire and Emergency Levy to install fire hydrants?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
4 December 2003
Responded by
Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Response time
85 days
(1 – 3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) advise the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) wrote to the FESA Chief Executive Officer on 5 September 2003 requesting that hydrant costs in non-gazetted fire districts and reinstatement costs for hydrants in gazetted fire districts be referred to the Emergency Services Levy Executive Review Committee (ERC) for consideration.
The Emergency Services Levy ERC met on 24 September 2003 and determined that there be no change to the current legislative arrangements associated with the responsibilities for hydrants in Western Australia. The Committee has requested a hydrant briefing paper (addressing legislation, history, ownership, cost responsibilities and other State provisions) to be tabled at the next meeting (yet to be scheduled) to assist in reviewing future funding arrangements.
Responsibilities for costs associated with hydrants are stipulated in existing legislation (
Fire Brigades Act 1942
, Section 54: Provision of fire hydrants). In summary, the responsibility for hydrant costs in gazetted fire districts rests with FESA, who through the Emergency Services Levy and other revenue sources will fund these costs with the exception of hydrant reinstatement costs. For hydrant costs outside gazetted fire districts, the responsibility rests with Local Governments. The Emergency Services Levy will not fund these costs and hence will remain with Local Governments.
The recent implementation of the Emergency Services Levy has not imposed any change to the legislative responsibilities associated with hydrant costs.
The Emergency Services Levy ERC met on 24 September 2003 and determined that there be no change to the current legislative arrangements associated with the responsibilities for hydrants in Western Australia. The Committee has requested a hydrant briefing paper (addressing legislation, history, ownership, cost responsibilities and other State provisions) to be tabled at the next meeting (yet to be scheduled) to assist in reviewing future funding arrangements.
Responsibilities for costs associated with hydrants are stipulated in existing legislation (
Fire Brigades Act 1942
, Section 54: Provision of fire hydrants). In summary, the responsibility for hydrant costs in gazetted fire districts rests with FESA, who through the Emergency Services Levy and other revenue sources will fund these costs with the exception of hydrant reinstatement costs. For hydrant costs outside gazetted fire districts, the responsibility rests with Local Governments. The Emergency Services Levy will not fund these costs and hence will remain with Local Governments.
The recent implementation of the Emergency Services Levy has not imposed any change to the legislative responsibilities associated with hydrant costs.
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