The next piece of the Albanese Government’s preparations for Australia’s 2023-24 Summer has been unveiled, with the deployment of the National Large Air Tanker (LAT) to fight fires across the country.
Today’s unveiling is a significant boost to our national aerial firefighting capability during this High-Risk Weather Season.
The National LAT, which will be prepositioned across Australia, based on the areas of highest risk or concern, is a Boeing 737 operated by aerial firefighting specialists which can carry and drop up to 15,000 litres of retardant or water.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said being better prepared during times of increased disaster risk is of the upmost importance to the Albanese Government.
“We all know the devastation that bushfires can wreak on communities across the country,” Minister Watt said.
“Our Government is committed to doing everything in our power to protect Australians in rural, regional and urban areas.
“The deployment of this Large Air Tanker is yet another step we have taken to ensure our firefighting capabilities are strong.
“This asset will be invaluable in protecting lives and property, halting the spread of fires, and supporting firefighting efforts on the ground, especially in difficult-to-reach areas of the country.
“The outlook for this summer sees large parts of the country at above-average risk for bushfire. Recognising this forecast, the Government has made real progress in ensuring communities and response capabilities are as ready as they can be.
“This includes the largest ever fleet of aerial firefighting assets, improved warning alerts, better coordination between states and territories and more investment in disaster resilience and mitigation.”
The Commonwealth funded National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) Large Air Tanker will be in Australia from December for the high risk weather season and is able to deploy wherever the need is greatest based on risk.
The Australian Government funds $31 million dollars annually to the NAFC, through the National Aerial Firefighting Program, to coordinate a fleet of highly specialised firefighting aircraft.
Additionally, States and Territories have acquired aerial resources for the summer, and New South Wales owns the Marie Bashir 737 Large Air Tanker which is deployed to assist interstate if required.
Other large fixed wing Air Tankers and large rotary-wing water bombers in the NAFC fleet are easily moved across borders.
“It is critical that Australia has access to a sophisticated, flexible aerial firefighting capability to respond to bushfires, protect communities and support firefighters on the ground,” Minister Watt said.
“Through the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) and the aerial firefighting fleet, pilots and aircrew contracted to fight fires, we are ensuring that the resources we need are not only available but pre-positioned where they are needed.
“I thank the State and Territory bushfire agencies who work collegiately throughout their high-fire risk seasons, to ensure all communities across Australia are appropriately resourced and supported.
“Through this shared investment by the federal, state and territory governments in aerial firefighting, lives will be saved and communities protected.”
