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MEMORANDUM

TO: All Grampians Region Staff

Copy to:

FROM: Finance & Administration Manager

SUBJECT: 2012.13 Budget

DATE: 15 th August 2012 File No: D12/39622

As you are aware there are significant pressures in Victorian Government finances resultingin reduced funding for CFA for this year, and indeed for future years. The CFA Board hasimplemented sizeable reductions across all Directorates and Regions to achieve a balancedbudget; however it is recognised that this is not sustainable into the future. Further work toaddress this challenge is underway.

At its meeting held on 7 August, Grampians RLT considered the impact of our reducedbudget allocation for the 2012.13 financial year. Grampians funding has been cut by $213kand we have also been directed to absorb cost increases which are estimated to be in thevicinity of $75k, bringing the real impact of the budget cuts close to $300k. This reductioncomes on top of the budget cuts in 2010/11 ($430k) and our overspend due to increasedcosts in 2011/12 ($254k).

Whilst RLT has tried to minimise the impact of the reduced funding on staff, unfortunatelythere will be a number of casual and part time staff impacted. Additionally, RLT has identifieda number of other austerity measures that are required in order for us to meet our budgetallocation.

In summary this will mean:-

Casual ASO / Training role in D17 reduced from .8 to .4 FTE (4 days to 2 days per week)

Casual ASO role D16 reduced from 1 FTE to .6 FTE (core hours over 5 days)Temporarily shift 1.6 FTEs from Grampians staffing establishment to project funded roles Overtime will be analysed, monitored and more strictly managedNon-essential staff vacancies will not be filled immediately, and consideration will begiven to the necessity to replace the personStaff are encouraged to purchase additional leave where no relief is requiredThere will be no relief provided for non-essential positionsOperational Catering the current practice of issuing ration packs is being reviewedPPC Where possible new recruits will be issued with 2 nd hand gear which is deemed fitfor purpose (i.e. has been cleaned and is in reasonable condition)Non-essential building maintenance programs have been deferred

Printing & Stationery Software will be installed to prompt users to print in mono rather than colour and duplex rather than single sidedContractors DSE to be approached to negotiate capping the costs associated with firespotting towers

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Training 1st Aid courses will only be conducted when there is a full enrolmentFalse Alarm Charges We will apply less tolerance in approving waiver requests whilststill complying with S20B requirementsFuel Costs Overspends for 2011.12 to be analysed and strategies implemented toreduce costs where possibleIncurring of expenses including travel, accommodation and meals require pre-approvalfrom your manager. Video conferencing is to be used to minimise these costs.

Our 2012.13 budget will only be achieved through the co-operation and goodwill of allmembers (staff & volunteers) throughout the region. Clearly, a number of the above costsaving strategies are not sustainable and as such there is significant work to be done bothcorporately and regionally in adapting to our economic environment, whilst at the same time

maintaining our service delivery to the community.

RLT will continue to keep members informed as to how we are tracking against budget andthe identification / development of further efficiency measures as they come to hand.

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