Overview
- The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office released its audit on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, finding the three fire authorities need about $1.5 billion from 2024–25 to 2033–34 to replace and upgrade trucks.
- Only roughly $390.4 million of that cost is currently identified in budgets and grants, creating an estimated funding gap of about $1.1 billion.
- DEECA discovered structural cracking that forced it to remove about 54.4% of its fleet for the 2025–26 season, then ran inspections and repairs to return many trucks to service under ongoing monitoring.
- Operational strain and maintenance shortfalls have worsened availability: FRV truck maintenance doubled over three years and aerial ladder trucks were available for only about 57.3% of the year on average.
- VAGO made six recommendations to lift asset management to national standards and the three agencies agreed in full or in principle; the Labor government has pledged $167 million for 150 new trucks by 2030 but significant funding and implementation choices remain.