The Albanese and Rockliff Governments are activating up to $52 million in disaster assistance to help protect environmental and cultural heritage areas impacted by the ongoing bushfires on Tasmania's West Coast.
The investment will support the significant firefighting efforts being deployed to protect important environmental and cultural assets, including the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
This support has been made available through a Counter Disaster Operations Package under the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said Tasmania is home to some of Australia's most beautiful and wild places, and amazing communities.
"As the bushfires remain an ongoing event, the Albanese Government is working with the Tasmanian Government to protect both communities and Tasmania's natural heritage," Minister McAllister said.
"Thank you to the emergency service personnel for all their work, protecting the community and the unique heritage of Tasmania. We were glad to have been able to provide the national Large Air Tanker and one of our national helicopters to assist with firefighting efforts."
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff thanked emergency responders, including interstate and international crews, for their continued efforts to keep communities and important Tasmanian environmental and cultural assets safe.
"Firefighting activities to protect the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area are expected to continue for some time, with this disaster assistance supporting these efforts," Premier Rockliff said.
"We will continue to work with all levels of government and across agencies to ensure we get the best response for Tasmanian communities and protect our natural assets.
"We acknowledge and thank the Australian Government for working with us to keep Tasmanians and our wild places safe."
For more recovery information on the West Coast Bushfires, visit TasRECOVERY.com.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.
