Agreement secures ongoing use of defence bases for firefighting

The Australian Government has announced that the New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service (RFS) will continue to have access to key military bases for aerial firefighting operations until 2029.

The agreement extends the current arrangement, allowing the NSW RFS to use RAAF Base Richmond, RAAF Base Williamtown and HMAS Albatross to support firefighting efforts.

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy, said: “This commitment provides important certainty for the RFS and supports their critical work to keep Australians and communities safe from bushfires.”

NSW RFS to maintain aerial support from military sites

The NSW RFS, recognised as the world’s largest volunteer fire service, delivers fire and emergency services to approximately 95% of New South Wales. Access to Defence sites has played a key role in supporting its operations over the past decade.

The partnership has facilitated aerial firefighting efforts during major emergencies, including the Black Summer bushfires, the 2022 Eastern Australia floods and the recent North Queensland floods.

Conroy said: “This relationship goes to the heart of the concepts of national defence and resilience, as outlined in the National Defence Strategy, by bolstering the NSW Rural Fire Service’s ability to respond to natural disasters.”

Government highlights inter-agency cooperation

The Australian Government has emphasised the importance of collaboration between federal and state agencies in disaster response.

Conroy said: “It is a further demonstration of the outcomes that can be achieved through greater partnerships between the Commonwealth, states, territories and industry.”

Defence has reiterated its commitment to supporting emergency services to enhance disaster response efforts across the country.

Australia extends aerial firefighting base access for NSW RFS until 2029: Summary

The Australian Government has extended an agreement allowing the NSW Rural Fire Service to continue using RAAF Base Richmond, RAAF Base Williamtown and HMAS Albatross for aerial firefighting operations until 2029. The NSW RFS, which serves 95% of New South Wales, has relied on Defence support for the past decade.

This collaboration has assisted responses to major disasters, including the Black Summer bushfires and the North Queensland floods. Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy, said the agreement reinforces national resilience and inter-agency partnerships in disaster response.