The NSW Nationals are calling on the Minns Labor Government to immediately deliver its promised Farm Fire Fighting Vehicle scheme, after almost two years of delays.
In January 2024 Labor committed to provide conditional registrations that would enable farmers to drive unregistered vehicles on public roads in an emergency, but is yet to make the program permanent.
Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Gurmesh Singh, said it’s a crucial measure that would boost capacity, with the bushfire season just weeks away.
“When a fire breaks out, farmers are often the first to respond, and they can play a key role in limiting damage to property and protecting lives, particularly before emergency crews arrive,” Mr Singh said.
“In paddocks and sheds across regional NSW, there’s an army of privately owned firefighting assets known as the “mosquito fleet”. They are ready to swarm and help contain a blaze, but they are stuck in red tape.
“There’s been multiple successful trials now and the scheme has received widespread support, so the Minns Government needs to finally make this commonsense change that could make all the difference when disaster strikes.”
Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Dave Layzell said regional communities are being put at risk.
“Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles tend to be used around the farm and not on public roads, which is why the conditional registration will be a good way to allow them to attend nearby fires, without the high cost of a full registration,” Mr Layzell said.
“We don’t want a situation where landholders are deterred from helping their neighbours in a fire situation because the government was too slow to act on something it promised.
NSW Nationals Upper House member Scott Barrett said persistent questioning over 12 months has shown the government’s complete inaction.
“Labor only grudgingly launched the second trial earlier this year after we called its failure out in the Upper House before the last bushfire season,” Mr Barrett said.
“Every time we ask about this scheme in Budget Estimates or Question Time, it’s always just around the corner.”
“We need all the support we can get before the bushfire season is upon us and the government needs to get it done before it’s too late.”
