The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to Keeping Tasmanians Safe.

Today, I was pleased to inspect progress on the rebuild of the Middleton Fire Station, at a cost of just under $300,000.

In addition – and further evidence of the Hodgman Liberal Government’s support for emergency service volunteers – we are providing $2 million to volunteer Tasmania Fire Service and State Emergency Service units to apply for equipment and station upgrades.

We value the contribution of our emergency service volunteers, which is why our Supporting Emergency Volunteers policy provides easier access to equipment for brigades such as new pumps, floodlights or improved station amenity.

Higher level training opportunities to be made available to volunteer firefighters under this policy include specialist skills required for service in our Remote Area Teams, such as helicopter insertion training.

Our career firefighters are strongly and ably supported by committed volunteers throughout the State and I’m very grateful for their efforts.

I pay tribute to the volunteers and communities of Middleton and Gordon for their patience and hard work since the station was destroyed in an arson attack last year. I’m sure this larger, fit-for-purpose station will service the Middleton/Gordon area well into the future.

Volunteer fire stations and their brigades are essential infrastructure for small communities such as Middleton, and rebuilding the station is a demonstration of the Hodgman Liberal Government’s commitment to regional Tasmania.

These actions support our target to achieve a 33% decrease in the risk to Tasmanian lives and properties from bushfire by 2022. They’re a key plank in our Plan to Keep Tasmanians Safe.

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