Rural Fire Service personnel have been unable to fill up their vehicles, as dozens of bushfires burn across the state.
A message revealed in a Budget Estimates hearing today showed one region was told to limit its use of fuel due to “nearly maxing out” its Motorpass account.
Nationals Committee Member Wes Fang questioned the Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib on the matter, asking “How have you allowed your RFS trucks to not be able to even fill up on their cards? What would happen in an emergency?”
Mr Dib revealed that with the 85 fires and 7 total fire bans currently occurring, he was unaware of the issue, even though the message was sent five days ago.
Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Gurmesh Singh said the situation is concerning given the extreme conditions we have already seen.
“Today’s revelation that RFS volunteers have been told that their fuel cards have reached their limit should alarm communities right across NSW,” Mr Singh said.
“The Minns Labor Government has cut $30 million from the RFS budget compared with last year, and these budget cuts are finally starting to have real world impacts on the safety of our communities.
“With bushfires burning in nearly every corner of the state, we need confidence that our brave volunteers have the tools they need, and importantly the fuel they need, to bring these fires under control.”
