Ms ANDERSON - 2010-11-24
- Recently, Bushfires Council NT celebrated its 100th meeting, and council members warned the public of the potential for big bushfires in Central Australia following the rains over the past year. After the last big rains in 2001, fires burned a significant portion of the West MacDonnell National Park. Have you provided additional resources to bushfire councils to cope with the increased likelihood of large-scale fire?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her very important question. I also congratulate the Bushfires Council for reaching such a significant milestone. They do a fantastic job. I saw the recent fires at Howard Springs. I took a helicopter tour with the pilot who controlled the air surveillance around the bushfires, so I am aware of the dangers of bushfires in our community and the significant damage they can cause to property but, more importantly, to lives.
In Central Australia, I have had the opportunity on a couple of occasions to visit the Bushfires Council’s property in Elder Street. We have recently provided an extra vehicle to assist volunteers and the council to fight fires during the upcoming season. They do much work with the volunteers, particularly in Central Australia, in preparing for that. My department acknowledges the great work they do and will continue to support them with the resources they need.
Signing up to the national aerial firefighting program means we will receive extra dollars by being a member of the national body, which will come in handy when we need to fight big fires in Central Australia, and call on the expertise of aerial firefighters as well as the troops on the ground. I acknowledge that. I have been there several times. We recently provided an extra vehicle to assist Bushfires NT members in Alice Springs and we will continue to work with them.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016