At the present time arrangements are in place for organisations involved in emergency and rescue operations to be given the option of purchasing surplus Government owned vehicles suitable for their purposes before such vehicles are offered at auction. This is a very cost efficient process for the organisations concerned.

Although agencies have been asked to liaise with the State Emergency Service to establish whether any of their surplus vehicles are suitable for emergency purposes, very little consultation has in fact taken place and, consequently, some organisations now face very real problems in their day to day operations.

There is a particular difficulty currently facing the volunteer bush fire movement which urgently needs to upgrade its vehicle programme by the acquisition of four wheel drive vehicles of gross mass of 2-10 tonnes which are up to 10 years old and no longer required for their original purpose.

In order to assist in meeting the demands placed on the bush fire brigades which will need to have access to some 136 second hand vehicles per annum over the next 15 years, I consider that it would be more appropriate for the Department of Bush Fire Services to now assume the liaison role having regard to the special circumstances confronting the bush fire brigades.

Accordingly, I would appreciate your bringing details of the new liaison arrangements to the notice of all agencies within your administration and for them to be again reminded of the established policy for disposal of vehicles which can be adapted for use in emergency and rescue operations.

John Fahey
Premier