General News
15 December, 2025
CFA project grants benefit local brigades
CFA has welcomed more than $22.6 million in grants for brigades and groups to share to purchase new equipment, helping to further protect their local communities.
The Victorian Government’s 2025/26 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program funding was announced last week, with dignitaries including CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan and brigades from the area.
The announcement took place at CFA’s District 15 headquarters in Wendouree, which received VESEP funding in this year’s grants to purchase a new Breathing Apparatus support vehicle.
Balmoral CFA did well among the local brigades, possibly in part due to the amalgamation with North Balmoral CFA and site sharing with the local SES.
$100,000 has been allocated for a new storage shed to complement the CFA's proposed station refurbishment.
CFA District 5 Commander, Rainer Kiessling, said that with the concentration of emergency services personnel there, it was important to establish the resources at the location.
“The CFA is quite keen to pump some money into that community to really reinforce its position as a strategic asset in the northern part of District 5,” he said.
“Balmoral CFA are always looking for new members and encourage anyone who lives in the greater Balmoral district to apply for CFA membership.”
The VESEP funding announced was spread across 168 projects, including a range of facility upgrades and replacement vehicles for brigades, including 14 Medium tankers, 12 Ultralight tankers, and 31 Field Command Vehicles.
Other brigade recipients in the region include:
• Dadswells Bridge, operational equipment, $2340.
• Grampians, vehicles and appliances, $71,000.
• Great Western, vehicles and appliances, $310,000.
• Halls Gap, minor facilities improvements, $93,334.
• Hopetoun West, volunteer amenities, $760.
• Kadnook, operational equipment, $1500.
• Kaniva, operational equipment, $5800.
• Natimuk, operational equipment, $3334.
• Patchewollock, operational equipment, $2340.
• Rainbow, minor facilities improvements, $30,000.
• South Lillimur, operational equipment, $790.
• Stawell, vehicles and appliances, $71,000.
CFA chief officer, Jason Heffernan, said VESEP grants help provide brigades with significant funding for vital equipment and facility improvements.
“This program provides $2 for every $1 of funding from the brigade thanks to the brigades’ incredible fundraising efforts and generosity of their local communities,” he said.
“The contribution from the government towards equipment means brigades have a great incentive to fundraise in their communities and apply for a VESEP grant.
“There are also Special Access Grants available to provide a further financial boost for brigades that face challenges with fundraising.”
To apply to volunteer with the CFA, visit the website at bit.ly/4pM3lls.