A Large Air Tanker (LAT) is to be based in Australia on year-round standby for aerial assaults on bushfires across the country.
Minister for Emergency Services, Vincent Tarzia welcomed the new heavy-duty water bomber saying the LAT would reduce Australia’s reliance on overseas assets.
Mr Tarzia said that in combination with a sophisticated fleet of more than 150 specialised, highly mobile aircraft positioned around the country, the LAT offered greater protection for all communities.
He said the securement of the LAT was in response to the national Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements Final Report and its recommendation for an aerial firefighting capability that could be tasked according to the greatest national need.
“Aerial firefighting assets like the LAT make a huge difference during bushfires when lives and property are on the line,” Mr Tarzia said.
“During the last bushfire season, we saw aerial firefighting assets used with great efficiency at Lucindale and Cherry Gardens,” he said.
“There were 728 aerial drops made during the 2020/21 bushfire season and our aerial firefighting assets were in operation for about 660 hours, equating to 27 full days of service.”
Mr Tarzia said the make and model of the LAT would be announced at a later date, while further announcements about the State’s aerial firefighting fleet are expected in coming weeks.
He said increased annual Federal Government funding for the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC), which was more than $30 million, would ensure additional resources were available to support and safeguard firefighters on the ground during catastrophic blazes.
Mr Tarzia said an additional $10.2 million had been provided by the State Government for aerial firefighting in June’s 2021/22 State Budget.
