IN SCATHING comments, former CFA volunteer Barry O’Connor has made claims about chronic underfunding at the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and that its “out of date” fleet numbers have now blown out to well over 500.
He said the current aging CFA fleet of tankers has been the subject of a number of reports that have fallen on “deaf ears”.
In a Facebook post, Mr O’Connor said the reason that Premier Jacinta Allan was confronted by angry fire-impacted residents recently in Alexandra was “failing firefighting fleet”.
“In order for the CFA to achieve the goal of having no tanker older than 20 (years) and no pumper over 15, they need an annual budget of at least $50 million to replace 90 units annually. This is just to cover the replacement cycle of the estimated 1800 ‘in date’ appliances and arrest the annual ‘leakage’ of further units into the ‘out of date’ fleet,” Mr O’Connor said.
“The Benalla and District Fire Brigades Group is the largest CFA group in Victoria comprising 19 brigades, and currently has 21 appliances, with 13 tankers and one pumper in the ‘out of date’ category.
“The current 2025/26 budget proposal for fleet replacement of $22 million is hopelessly inadequate.”
But the Victorian Government has denied underfunding claims.
A government spokesperson said the CFA is stronger, better funded and better resourced under a Labor Government. The latest CFA annual report makes it clear: in 2024-25 CFA funding reached its highest level in five years. The CFA Board has also been clear that funding has increased year on year since 2020.
“As well as increased funding, we have announced a further $35.5 million for emergency services infrastructure, including seven new CFA stations across the state. We are also investing in a $40 million rolling fleet replacement program for the CFA. That builds on more than 160 new vehicles currently on the production line and 85 vehicles recently delivered to brigades across the state.
“We have delivered six new CFA vehicles to brigades in the Benalla local government area as well as 16 for the Wangaratta LGA and 13 for the Strathbogie LGA which all support Benalla brigades in times of need.”
A CFA spokesperson said: “Emergency response vehicles are a key part of our response capability and our focus is always on whether the vehicles are safe, appropriately equipped and fit for purpose, regardless of age.”
The spokesperson said all emergency response vehicles within the CFA fleet are roadworthy, maintained by an expert network of mechanical officers, and are subject to annual maintenance servicing and an annual fire-worthy inspection by qualified technical staff.
“CFA replaces vehicles as, and when, it can within the budget it has available, to ensure our volunteers can continue to protect Victorian communities.
“This was enhanced more recently in the 2025/26 budget with the promised allocation of an additional $10 million to CFA base capital funding, and a doubling of the annual VESEP (Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program) funding to $22 million for brigades to access equipment and plant including new crew cab appliances,” the spokesperson said.
