Canberra’s fire services are no better prepared for an eventful bushfire season than they were during the 2003 bushfire disaster, according to insiders.

According to a report in the Canberra Times, Emergency Services Agency sources say the agency wasted money dedicated to the services and last year blew its annual budget of $60 million by about $5 million.

They allege recommendations made after the 2003 Canberra bushfires have not been implemented and the mobile data system, planned to be operational in 2005, is still not working.

They also say the fire services levy charged to Canberra households is going into consolidated revenue instead of to agency services.

Nearly 3600 claims totalling $342.4 million were received by insurers after the 2003 bushfires. An Insurance Council of Australia spokesman said it is “monitoring the issue” but will not comment yet.