Almost one third of Crown Lands fire trails managed by the Minns Labor Government were categorised as being in ‘poor condition’ following the latest annual inspection program.
Fire trails are built to provide firefighting personnel with vehicle and personnel access to reach bushfires, to act as control barriers for backburning, and to establish firebreaks to slow the spread of active fire.
During Budget Estimates, the Minister for Crown Lands’ department stated that only 27 per cent of the 2,120 kilometres of fire trails under their control are in good condition, meaning they are safe and serviceable and either meet the required standard or require only minor works.
36 per cent are in fair condition, remaining serviceable but requiring moderate to major works to meet the standard, while 31 per cent are in poor condition, failing to meet the standard and requiring significant renewal or reconstruction.
The department took questions on notice about when those trails, which fell into the fair-to-poor category, would be repaired.
Shadow Minister for Crown Lands Steph Cooke said the figures were deeply concerning, given the critical role fire trails play in protecting lives and priorities during the bushfire season.
“These fire trails are a vital part of our frontline bushfire response and firefighters rely on them to access fires quickly,” Ms Cooke said.
“With the Bush Fire Danger Period just six weeks away, it is alarming that almost one in three Crown Lands fire trails have been assessed as being in poor condition and require significant renewal or reconstruction.
“Local communities have every right to expect that essential firefighting infrastructure is maintained and ready when it is needed most.
“We also owe it to our volunteer firefighters and emergency services personnel to ensure they have safe and reliable access to the areas where they may be called upon to protect.”
Ms Cooke said the Minns Labor Government must make every effort to begin clearing the program of works before conditions deteriorate further.
Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Tanya Thompson said she was incredibly concerned about the State’s preparedness ahead of the upcoming bushfire season.
“Just yesterday the Australasian Fire Authorities Council released their bushfire outlook for spring, warning of a heightened risk of fire across northern and southeastern NSW,” Mrs Thompson said.
“Our frontline firefighters, often volunteers, deserve to have every confidence the trails they rely on to protect the community are in good and serviceable condition.
“NSW needs to be assured that the Minns Labor Government is taking this season’s bushfire threat seriously.”
