Water Tanks installed at 480 CFA stations around Victoria
June 22, 2010
The Sidney Myer Fund’s grant of $2 million to the Country Fire Authority, to enable water tanks to be installed at rural stations throughout Victoria, has been matched by a similar amount from the Victorian Government.
The CFA’s Water Tanks Project was supported through the 2009 Commemorative Grants Program. It delivered water tanks and pumps to 483 rural and remote – the smallest and most isolated – CFA stations around Victoria. In many of these locations, the CFA station is the only local infrastructure.
The tanks enable rainwater to be collected from station roofs, which in turn means that brigades are less reliant on dams and waterways for water for training, and to wash firetrucks.
In some cases the tanks have meant that, at last, a decent cup of tea can be made at the station!
The project was ably managed by CFA’s Asset Management team, who mobilised significant in-kind support from local communities and brigade members for site preparation and the installation of the tanks and pumps.
As a result of the high level of in-kind support engendered through the project, some savings were made, and the funds were used to install high pressure pumps at 32 CFA stations in the Yarra Area.High pressure pumps enable speedy filling of fire fighting vehicles. This area includes brigades such as Kinglake, Lilydale, Yarra Junction, St. Andrews and Christmas Hills. A small amount was also contributed to the installation of a water recycling system at CFA Wangaratta training ground.
The success of this project was anhanced with the State Government announcing a matching grant of $2 million. This grant will ensure that by the end of 2010 every CFA station in Victoria will have the capacity to capture rain water.
Click hear to read more about the 2009 Commemorative Grants Program.
You can read more about this project and the State Government’s support on the CFA Connect Website, via the links below
