Ms ANDERSON - 2011-02-23
An e-mail sent on 8 February by a regional coordinator with Natural Resources Management Board NT states: ‘CLC has an active fire management program, however, once again, the lack of staffing at Bushfires NT limits the on-ground work that can be done’. The same e-mail adds that Bushfires NT will be invited to the next Natural Resources Management Board meeting but, due to their limited capacity, may not be able to attend. Is it true that Bushfires NT is so understaffed that they cannot even attend the meeting, let alone conduct strategic fire prevention work?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. It is not true they are under-resourced to deal with bushfires. I am not aware of that e-mail or its contents. I am more than happy to talk to you, or obtain a copy of the e-mail to ensure we get people to that workshop. It is vitally important that we have Natural Resource Management and the Board working with Bushfires NT, working with volunteers, because I know, talking to the group last year, we need more volunteers - a very important part in battling bushfires as well.
Over the years, volunteer brigades have shrunk. Sometimes people become complacent and we cannot afford to be. We know there is going to be a huge bushfire season throughout the Barkly and Central Australian regions. I call on Territorians who are listening to this broadcast to sign up as volunteers. Bushfires NT does a fantastic job, as does the Natural Resource management organisations and boards. As the minister, I want to ensure we can get them around a table. I am more than happy to ensure they are at the table.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. It is not true they are under-resourced to deal with bushfires. I am not aware of that e-mail or its contents. I am more than happy to talk to you, or obtain a copy of the e-mail to ensure we get people to that workshop. It is vitally important that we have Natural Resource Management and the Board working with Bushfires NT, working with volunteers, because I know, talking to the group last year, we need more volunteers - a very important part in battling bushfires as well.
Over the years, volunteer brigades have shrunk. Sometimes people become complacent and we cannot afford to be. We know there is going to be a huge bushfire season throughout the Barkly and Central Australian regions. I call on Territorians who are listening to this broadcast to sign up as volunteers. Bushfires NT does a fantastic job, as does the Natural Resource management organisations and boards. As the minister, I want to ensure we can get them around a table. I am more than happy to ensure they are at the table.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016