NSW Government announces $13 million fire protection initiative for Murray region timber plantations
Iain Hoey
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Funding for fire protection initiatives in southern NSW
The Minns Government has allocated $13 million to safeguard plantation timber in southern New South Wales from bushfire risks.
According to the New South Wales Government, the Plantation Fire Protection funding package will support 15 projects across the Murray region, covering areas such as Greater Hume, Snowy Valleys, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Albury, and Wagga Wagga.
The projects include fire detection cameras, aerodrome-based water supplies for firefighting, upgraded fire trails, and remote weather monitoring systems.
These initiatives aim to improve fire prevention, hazard reduction, and response capabilities while offering enhanced protection to plantations, local businesses, and communities.
Expert-backed measures for regional fire protection
The selected projects were identified by a panel comprising government and industry experts.
This panel included representatives from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and the Softwoods Working Group.
Their analysis focused on addressing current gaps and opportunities in fire protection.
Stakeholder input from plantation owners, local councils, Forestry Corporation, and other fire authorities shaped the final selection of projects.
Projects include funding for upgrades to key fire trails, enhancements at Tumut Aerodrome to support aerial firefighting, and new equipment such as high-volume water pumps, bulk tankers, and an all-terrain firefighting machine.
Projects to enhance community safety
While the projects aim to safeguard critical timber plantations, they also enhance fire safety for surrounding communities.
For example, the addition of three new fire detection cameras will expand monitoring capabilities in the Murray region.
Firefighting water storage upgrades and improved radio communications for plantation workers are among the other initiatives designed to bolster safety and emergency response.
The DPIRD will administer these projects as a pilot program, with monitoring and evaluation to assess the potential for statewide expansion.
Minister and local representative statements
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, emphasised the importance of these projects: “The Murray region was hit particularly hard in the 2019/20 bushfires, and we lost a significant stock of our future housing timber – we can’t afford to lose anymore.”
She added: “These projects will play a vital role in protecting the remaining critical timber supplies in the Murray region as we move into the 2024-25 bushfire season and beyond.”
Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, welcomed the measures: “Memories of the disastrous Dunns Road fire five years ago are still fresh in local minds, so these measures to reduce the fire risk in the Snowy Valleys are very welcome.”
Dr McGirr highlighted the economic importance of the softwoods industry and praised the collaboration between government, industry, and local councils: “The enhancements at the Tumut Aerodrome will be an important addition to the region’s firefighting capacity.”
NSW Government announces $13 million fire protection initiative for Murray region timber plantations: summary
The New South Wales Government has announced a $13 million Plantation Fire Protection funding package to safeguard critical timber plantations in southern NSW.
The initiative supports 15 projects in the Murray region, including fire detection cameras, water storage upgrades, and improved firefighting equipment.
The projects, identified by a panel of government and industry experts, aim to address fire prevention, hazard reduction, and response gaps while enhancing safety for local communities and businesses.
Stakeholders include the NSW RFS, DPIRD, and plantation owners.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, and Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, highlighted the importance of these measures in protecting the region’s timber resources and enhancing firefighting capabilities.
The projects will be monitored as a pilot program for potential statewide application.
