Arnhem Land Fire Control Region

WRITTEN QUESTIONS
9th Assembly



16/07/2004

140. Arnhem Land Fire Control Region

Mr Wood to MINISTER for


Hide details for QUESTIONQUESTION
1. What is the size of the new Arnhem Land Fire Control Region, and (b) what will the $200,000 budget allocation for the region be spent on.

Hide details for ANSWERANSWER

Answered on 29/04/2005


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The Arnhem Fire Control Region includes all of Arnhem Land, Groote Eylandt and all other Islands as described in Northern Territory Government Gazette N0. 21, 26 May 2004. The Arnhem Fire Control Region is 113 000 square kilometres in area.

(a) As with the other nine Fire Control Regions in the Northern Territory, the Arnhem Fire Control Region is directed by a Regional Committee. The Regional Committee is established under statute and includes representatives from the Region who nominated for a position and were appointed by the Minister, as well as a Regional Fire Control Officer employed by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment. The functions of each Regional Committee are: to advise the Bushfires Council on measures to be taken to prevent and control bushfires in its fire control region; and to exercise and discharge such powers, duties and functions as are conferred or imposed on it by, or under, the Bushfires Act or any other Act.

The Regional Fire Control Officer’s duties include the co-ordination and assistance in the implementation of strategic fire programs and to co-ordinate and assist in training delivery to Community Rangers, Volunteers and other individuals.

(b) The actual budget approved for the region is $210 000 which includes the salary and fixed costs associated with employing the Regional Fire Control Officer. These salary and fixed costs include vehicle, communications and IT costs and are approximately 57% or $120 000 of the budget.

The remaining budget is utilised for such diverse allocations as supporting logistical arrangements for planning meetings of the Regional Committee; training assistance for Community Rangers and individuals; support of the application of the Equipment Subsidy Grants program for stakeholder groups within the region; the implementation of an aerial control burning program to support wildfire mitigation within the region and other costs incurred undertaking fire suppression activities.

A small component also covers general operational expenses and in the past year has included costs such as personal protective equipment and the purchase of maps and fire suppression equipment for use in the region.
Last updated: 03 Aug 2016