BALLARAT manufacturer SEM Fire and Rescue will be boosted by another contract from the state government, with an order for 10 medium pumper fire trucks confirmed on Monday.
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Product manager Jon Julian said it was good for the company and had wider benefits for Ballarat.
“This is good news for Ballarat because a lot of (each) vehicle is being sourced locally and manufactured locally,” he said.
The 10 trucks come as part of a larger order allotted in next month’s budget, the Andrews government’s first.
The SEM order is worth $5.5 million, part of a total spend of $33.5 million on 70 CFA trucks.
Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett said the money would arrive from next week.
“These state-of-the-art tankers that have been designed here in Ballarat... will be able to commence immediately next week with that money flowing,” she said.
“This company prides itself on looking after its community, and of course the products it makes are simply wonderful and keep our community safe.”
Ms Garrett said out of the further 60 trucks ordered, some would be made in Sunshine, but did not specify any other manufacturers.
She made clear they would all be built in Victoria.
SEM also handed over the keys to two new trucks on Monday to the Sebastopol and Ballarat brigades.
CFA District 15 acting operations manager Gavin Hope said the new trucks would benefit both the brigades receiving them and possibly two other “quieter brigades”.
“(This) enables us to transfer some of the trucks down to brigades in need of second-hand appliances,” he said.
“This is great for everyone.”
He said these were the 107th and 108th trucks in the Western Region.
Sebastopol made quick use of its new truck, leaving the handover early to attend a car accident.
alex.hamer@fairfaxmedia.com.au
