Mr KNIGHT - 2007-08-29
Can the minister update the House on the current activities to reduce the threat to infrastructure, lives and livelihoods in the late Dry Season bushfires?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. Last year, 2006, was the worst year on record for extreme fire weather in the Northern Territory. There were 35 fire ban days declared across the Territory. That is more than twice the average. The best chance of controlling a fire is to hit it early and hit it hard. Experience indicates that the best way of doing this is through aerial bombardment, with water and retardants used. That is why the government has brought the Air Tractor 802 to the Territory. The Air Tractor is a plane that can dump three tonnes of water in a hit. The Air Tractor helps with our volunteer bushfire crews on the ground, and it has already proved invaluable in fighting fires at Rum Jungle. The Air Tractor is based at Batchelor, with the new $200 000 Batchelor bushfire station.
Remarkably, the Leader of the Opposition recently said that spending money on this bushfire station was an insult. The Martin government will continue to support our wonderful volunteer bushfire firefighters and give them the tools they need to help protect Territorians.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. Last year, 2006, was the worst year on record for extreme fire weather in the Northern Territory. There were 35 fire ban days declared across the Territory. That is more than twice the average. The best chance of controlling a fire is to hit it early and hit it hard. Experience indicates that the best way of doing this is through aerial bombardment, with water and retardants used. That is why the government has brought the Air Tractor 802 to the Territory. The Air Tractor is a plane that can dump three tonnes of water in a hit. The Air Tractor helps with our volunteer bushfire crews on the ground, and it has already proved invaluable in fighting fires at Rum Jungle. The Air Tractor is based at Batchelor, with the new $200 000 Batchelor bushfire station.
Remarkably, the Leader of the Opposition recently said that spending money on this bushfire station was an insult. The Martin government will continue to support our wonderful volunteer bushfire firefighters and give them the tools they need to help protect Territorians.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016