Regional Capability Community Fund

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (15:02): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Can the minister update the council on the latest round of successful applicants for the Regional Capability Community Fund?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:02): I absolutely can. I am very grateful for the question from the Hon. Ms Gago, because I know she takes an interest in what we are doing in the emergency services portfolio to better enhance the capability of those people in regional communities who are faced with issues such as bushfires, for instance.

As members may recall, back in March I updated the council about the announcement of the latest round of grants from the Regional Capability Community Fund during my visit to Port Augusta and the Northern Flinders Ranges for country cabinet. To remind members about this fantastic initiative, the government has committed $2 million over four years to assist individuals and organisations in our rural and regional communities to purchase equipment, such as mobile fire fighting units, bulk water storage tanks and safety equipment, to respond to local emergencies.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister has the floor.

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS: On Friday 24 January 2016, I, along with my predecessor the member for Light, the Hon. Tony Piccolo, visited the Kingsford property—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: He's not that complimentary about you!

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS: I'm not sure about that—of farmer Tony Fotheringham to announce the successful recipients of the 2016-17 round of the fund. I was pleased to announce that the latest round of the fund has delivered $470,000 in grants to farmers, landowners, organisations and local councils. Mr Fotheringham was a successful grant applicant in 2015, and he told how he had used the funding to upgrade the pump on his farm fire unit, which he subsequently used to fight the Pinery fire.

Tony Piccolo, probably one of the best local members within the state parliament and, of course, the person who initiated this fund during his time as minister—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS: —told us that some of the local farmers who received funding in the latest round were directly affected by the Pinery fires, and that the funding will be of great benefit to them in the future.

This year's co-contribution model allows for successful applicants to claim half the price of approved purchases, up to a maximum of $2,500. The net result of this government's investment in our regions and rural areas is more than $1 million in equipment, to strengthen the response capability of our emergency services sector and the collective resilience of our state. To break down the more than $1 million in additional resources and upgraded equipment, we are talking about:

159 farm firefighting units;

92 bulk water storage tanks with interoperable fittings;

62 high-volume water pumps;

personal protective clothing;

UHF radios;

vehicle-mounted beacons; and

other safety equipment.

We do not have to look too far back to realise the invaluable assistance and support these grants will make as winter fades and the heat of summer approaches. Examples, such as Sampson Flat and the Pinery fires in particular, remind us that while we often recognise the stellar work of our paid and volunteer firefighters, it is often private landowners who find themselves at the front line as first responders, and this is particularly true in our rural and regional areas. That is why this state government believes the Regional Capability Community Fund grants program is both valuable and effective for our state's preparation.

This year, I am advised that SAFECOM received more than 550 applications for funding, with grants awarded based on criteria such as value, location, existing capability, access and distance to emergency services, and other risk factors unique to individual properties. While some may have missed out this year, the Regional Capability Community Fund will be back next year, and I encourage them to reapply.

I have to say that having had the chance to meet some recipients of this grant, and seeing firsthand the gratitude they have for the state government's assistance in this regard, I think it goes a long way to showing the state government's appreciation for the incredible work that not just our volunteers do within emergency services but what other people do to assist their local communities. The sense of community in our rural and regional areas in the state is profound and they are very keen to make sure they are assisting each other, and I think funds and grants programs like this go a long way to acknowledging that community spirit and their endeavour in taking on challenges such as bushfire.