A Large Air Tanker, Bomber 141 has arrived in Queensland ahead of the 2020 bushfire season.
The $15 million ‘LAT’ aircraft has been acquired to bolster the State’s aerial firefighting capabilities over the next five years.
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said last year’s bushfires were unprecedented with 7.7 million hectares scorched across the State, destroying homes and businesses.
“The road to recovery from disasters is often long, and the work to rebuild from those bushfires is continuing, but in the meantime, we must also be prepared for this year’s bushfire season,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“We saw how valuable water-bombing efforts were at Peregian, Sarabah, Stanthorpe and Pechey last year and that’s why we started planning for the acquisition of our very own LAT.”
She said the 10,000-litre-carrying aircraft would ensure communities were protected well into the future.
Treasurer and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, Cameron Dick said $40,000 would also be spent installing critical water and electrical infrastructure for the LAT at its new Bundaberg base.
“The water supply will fill foam/retardant mixing tanks from which the Large Air Tanker is filled and the electrical supply will service a demountable base office,” Mr Dick said.
“Together, these measures will provide seamless firefighting resupply services that will see improvements to bushfire safety of the entire Bundaberg community,” he said.
