Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead has welcomed the NSW Nationals in Government’s commitment to ensure the safety of communities from bushfires following the announcement of a new State Mitigation Crew for Bulahdelah.
On top of a record firefighting budget, the crew is part of a $10.7 million investment to fast track the State’s hazard reduction program as well as a $34.4 million investment to upgrade the RFS firefighting fleet.
Mr Bromhead said a better-prepared community was a more resilient community.
“Since their establishment over a decade ago, State Mitigation Crews have provided valuable assistance to brigades in helping to reduce the impact of a potential bushfire,” Mr Bromhead said.
“Bringing these crew members on board enables us to expand on this important work, in particular increasing our capacity to conduct burns during the week when volunteers are at work.”
Despite the 2019-2020 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires burning more than five million hectares of land, there is still more to be done to prepare for the season ahead. The $10.7 million for hazard reduction will create an additional 100 jobs, forming 25 crews from Albury to Armidale which will support and supplement volunteers and fast track hazard reduction.
The $34.4 million investment in the RFS fleet will also help expedite essential upgrades and the rollout of new vehicles to brigades who need them most, delivering 120 new and 70 refurbished trucks by then end of next financial year (2020-21).
Mr Bromhead also inspected works at the new Rainbow Flat Brigade Station, which was destroyed as a result of the devastating fires during the last fire season.
