South Western RFS shares record bush fire funding
22nd October 2009Ministerial media release
Rural Fire Brigades across South Western NSW will benefit from more than $24 million in funding this year as firefighters head into a potentially severe bush fire season.
Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan today announced the 2009/10 regional funding allocations for Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades around NSW.
Mr Whan said brigades in Rural Fire Districts included in the Albury, Murrumbidgee and Wagga Wagga electorates would share $24.47 million from the record $216 million Rural Fire Fighting Fund.
"The funding includes $400,000 towards the new Murray Irrigation Zone RFS Fire Control Centre planned for Griffith," he said.
"This centre represents a significant investment in further strengthening the bushfire and emergency protection of the community.
"This modern, purpose-built centre will have dedicated communications and operations facilities to help manage bushfires and other incidents."
The funding was welcomed by Country Labor Duty MLC Tony Catanzariti as good news for the region's RFS volunteers.
"Our fire authorities are well prepared for this bush fire season, which could be one of the worst we have faced for some years," Mr Catanzariti said.
"Ensuring our RFS volunteers are well equipped and safe as they work to protect the community will, as always, be our highest priority this summer.
"The Government has allocated almost $395 million to provide more than 3640 bush fire tankers since 1995 and we have boosted RFS aerial firefighting resources by $6 million this summer.
"New national Fire Danger Ratings, including the new categories of severe, extreme and catastrophic, and bush fire warning systems are in place.
"Residents in bush fire prone areas should be familiar with these and take steps now to Prepare. Act. Survive.
"They must take the time to prepare their homes and families and ensure they have a Bush Fire Survival Plan setting out what they will do in the event of a fire."
Mr Catanzariti said the $24.47 million in funding would help ensure brigades across the State's south-west had the training, personal safety gear, equipment and support they needed for their vital work.
"Our volunteers provide vital fire and emergency protection for local residents, businesses, agriculture and rural property holders in this region of the State, along with our many visitors each year," he said.
"The members of the RFS don't volunteer for praise or accolades but I thank each and every one of them for their hard work and dedication to protecting our community."
The 2009/10 $216 million Rural Fire Fighting Fund includes:
- $31.3 million for more than 200 bush fire tankers
- $16 million for new and upgraded brigade stations and fire control centres and the installation of rain water tanks
- $17 million in maintenance grants to local councils
- More than $17 million for bush fire mitigation, including $2 million to help elderly and vulnerable residents reduce their bush fire risk and
- $6 million to boost aerial firefighting resources.
Bush Fire Survival Plans and other information to help residents assess their home's fire risk can be downloaded from the RFS website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
South Western RFS shares record bush fire funding (PDF 47KB)