CFA and SES volunteers get free access to national parks

CFA and Victorian State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers will receive a free access pass to all Victorian national parks as a thank you for protecting Victoria from emergencies.

Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron and Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings last week launched the Parks Pass while meeting CFA and VICSES volunteers at Traralgon West CFA.

“This gesture is one way of saying ‘thank-you’ to CFA and VICSES volunteers who put their lives on hold to protect Victoria from the threat of bushfire often in National Parks,” Mr Cameron said.

“Giving CFA and VICSES volunteers free access to all National Parks helps not only our volunteers who deserve recognition but also the families that support them.”

Mr Jennings said volunteers will receive:

• Complimentary entry for one vehicle to Wilsons Promontory National Park and Mount Buffalo National Park;
• Complimentary car parking in the Mornington Peninsula National Park, Mount Donna Buang area of Yarra Ranges National Park and the Mount St Gwinear area of Baw Baw National Park; and
• A free family pass at Point Nepean National Park.

“In addition to this, there are a further 34 national parks in Victoria that are free for all to enjoy,” Mr Jennings said. “Victoria has a world-class system of parks and waterways with more than four million hectares of beautiful parks and reserves to explore.

“I’m pleased CFA and VICSES volunteers and their families will be able to discover the many recreation opportunities available to them in our parks from bushwalking and camping to swimming and rock climbing and snorkelling.”

Mr Cameron said the Brumby Government is rewarding emergency services volunteers. “The 2008/09 State Budget provided $20.5 million funding for emergency services which will purchase new trucks and equipment,” Mr Cameron said.

“The Budget also provided for all CFA operational radios to be replaced across Victoria as part of a $12.8 million CFA emergency radio replacement package to secure the CFA emergency communications network for the next decade.”

Victoria’s volunteers are acknowledged through the $11 million Valuing Volunteers Program and the Community Safety Emergency Services Program which has provided an additional $18.3 million in funding for new equipment and upgraded facilities since its inception eight years ago.

Passes will be mailed in the upcoming months to all volunteers.