Minister congratulates volunteer efforts in saving towns
17th October 2009Ministerial media release
Minister for Emergency Services Steve Whan has congratulated Rural Fire Service volunteers for their efforts battling bush fires on the state's North Coast.
Mr Whan said a series of fires had been burning near Grafton over the last few days, with one close to the township of Brooms Head.
"These fires have burned through hundreds of hectares of bushland in hot and blustery conditions," Mr Whan said.
"More than 600 RFS volunteers have been working around the clock to contain the fires, with cooler conditions providing a much needed respite.
"While the fires burnt close to the township of Brooms Head, the hard work of RFS, NSW Fire Brigades and National Parks firefighters saw properties saved.
"Also, the hazard reduction work done along the interface between the township and the bush has proved its worth.
"Contrary to claims of a lack of hazard reduction in the region, the Clarence Valley area has the highest rate of hazard reduction in NSW, with 37 hazard reduction activities carried out despite very heavy rainfall in the first half of the year", Mr Whan said.
"Likewise National Parks have done an outstanding job maintaining key fire trails in the Yiraygir National Park.
"The NSW Government has provided more than $17 million for bush fire mitigation works this year.
Mr Whan said the increased funding includes hiring eleven work crews, made up of over 60 people to conduct the labour intensive preparatory works for hazard reduction.
One of these crews have been working in the Grafton area over the past week.
"With cooler conditions forecast over the next few days, crews will have an opportunity to strengthen their containment lines around these fires before the return of warmer weather next week.
"With bush fire season well and truly here, people need to Prepare, Act and Survive for summer, by preparing their property and themselves by having a Bush Fire Survival Plan".
See www.rfs.nsw.gov.au to download a Bush Fire Survival Plan.
Minister congratulates volunteer efforts in saving towns (PDF 33KB)