With the Top End fire season around the corner, the Territory Labor Government is making sure our rural residents are prepared.
Today, the Minister for Environment Eva Lawler, launched six new volunteer firetrucks that are all fitted with the right technology and safety features to effectively fight fires.
Following recent fire seasons, the Territory Government allocated $2 million towards updating firefighting infrastructure to keep lives and properties safe. As part of this investment, $840,000 has gone towards six new trucks that have been custom made to meet the needs of Bushfires NT staff and volunteers fighting fires on the frontline. Each volunteer brigade will have a chance to use these new vehicle prior to an entire fleet of trucks being purchased.
In addition, fire mitigation efforts continue over the Wet season, with the Gamba Army working across 14 Top End sites, including:
- Casuarina Coastal Reserve
- Charles Darwin National Park; and
- Numerous vacant crown land blocks such as Pine Forest on Howard Springs Road, valued recreational area used by mountain bikers and runners.
The Gamba Army also headed to Litchfield last week to target high visitor and biodiversity areas between Buley Rockhole and Florence Falls.
So far over 300 hectares of gamba infested land has been sprayed and is supporting upto dozen personnel spraying at any time.
Territorians are also taking part in the Gamba Action Program which is supporting over 1800 landholders with free herbicide and equipment to manage their fuel loads on their rural properties.
The Territory Labor Government is also working on establishing the Fire Ready assistance package in time for the beginning of the Dry, which will see $50,000 awarded to local businesses to assist elderly and vulnerable rural landholders clear firebreaks, manage gamba grass and reduce fuel loads.
Quotes from the Minister for Environment, Eva Lawler:
"With the Top End fire season approaching, the Territory Government is making sure landholders are prepared and fire loads are reduced in the rural area and key land parcels.
"Supporting the spraying of gamba grass is reducing the impact of the weed while stimulating the economy, with more than 40 Territorians signed up to take part in the army.
"The six new fire trucks complement our new Bushfires HQ on Townend Road, which makes sure our volunteers are supported and ready to tackle fires in a safe and effective manner."
