Investment NSW is to launch a new mission to prepare the State better for future bushfires through research and development (R&D), with a focus on bushfire technology.
Announcing the move at the Budget this week, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Bushfire Response R&D Mission would receive $7 million per year for the next four years as part of the 2021-22 NSW Budget.
“The 2019-20 bushfires claimed lives, destroyed thousands of homes and cost NSW billions,” Mr Perrottet said, “this investment will go towards reducing the impact of bushfires and responding in the most effective way possible.”
“NSW is unfortunately one of the world’s bushfire hotspots, so it makes sense that we should package our hard-won know-how and take it to the world,” he said.
Mr Perrottet said the focus on new technology to enhance planning, preparation and response would save jobs when disaster struck and boost jobs in new industries.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, Gabrielle Upton said the establishment of R&D missions would address long-term strategic challenges facing NSW.
“This funding will help establish a Bushfire Technology Network, engage NSW small business to develop and commercialise bushfire technologies and ensure that new technologies are tested by frontline NSW bushfire services,” Ms Upton said.
She said the funding would help address a number of recommendations from the NSW Bushfire inquiry, including establishing the State as a major world centre for bush fire research as well as technology development and commercialisation.
NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, Hugh Durrant-Whyte said the Bushfire Response Mission would develop the use of real-time data from space, air and ground-based assets; ensure fire ground decisions made were based on information and computer-aided tools; and enable the use of equipment, including robots, to aid responders.
