NSW bush fire risk management projects receive $2.59 million funding boost

The new projects are in addition to $2.7 million for 126 projects supported in 2015 through the NSW Bush fire Risk Management Grants Scheme.

Under the funding announced today, local governments, NSW National Parks and NSW Lands will receive funding to support activities that manage bush fire risks.

Mr Keenan said this announcement is part of the joint Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Resilience Program which has provided NSW with $13.5 million since 2014.

“The program aims to reduce the impact of bush fires on communities and to reduce the public and private losses that can occur,” Mr Keenan said.

“While natural hazards such as bushfires are a fact of life in Australia, communities are stepping up efforts to manage the risks.

 “It is only by working together that we can reduce the potentially destructive impacts of future disasters such as bush fires.”

Mr Grant said the funding would provide a boost to projects focusing on bush fire prevention.

“The program has approved 19 fire trails and aerial firefighting supply tanks at 24 regional airstrips across NSW,” Mr Grant said.

“Fire trails provide easier access to fires and the aerial firefighting supply tanks will ensure bulk water or fire retardant is immediately available for loading into fixed-wing aircraft for a more rapid response.

“We have seen the widespread devastation bush fires can cause here in NSW and this program is a common sense approach to increased preparedness and responsiveness for threatened communities.”

NSW Bush Fire Risk Management projects: