Ministerial media releases

Residents will be given additional powers to protect their homes from bushfires, with new laws being introduced into NSW Parliament today to make it easier to clear trees and vegetation from around a property.

• New laws to protect property from bush fires (24.4 KB)

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Stuart Ayres has today announced the 2013 NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) and NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Cadet of the Year.

• Emergency service cadets honoured (98.2 KB)

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher said NSW is providing resources to assist Victoria with their firefighting efforts as they face significant bush fire threats over the coming weeks.

• NSW providing support to Victoria's bush fire crisis.pdf (140.0 KB)

Twenty two Police and Emergency Services personnel are today being honoured with medals as part of Australia Day Celebrations.

• NSW Police and Emergency Service personnel honoured in Australia Day celebrations.pdf (143.3 KB)

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher said the NSW Government is introducing laws that will streamline hazard reduction processes, strengthen offences and protect emergency service workers.

• NSW Government moves to protect firefighters and homeowners from bush fire threat.pdf (99.7 KB)

NSW residents now have another way to make a bush fire survival plan with the launch of a new smartphone application.

• Bush fire survival plan now at your fingertips.pdf (146.9 KB)

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell today declared a state of emergency for NSW ahead of the forecast deteriorating weather conditions in bush fire zones.

• State of Emergency declared NSW.pdf (140.2 KB)

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell and Minister for Emergency Services Michael Gallacher today announced the NSW Government has put in place legal protections to ensure emergency services volunteers involved in current bush fire fighting operations are not penalised by their employer for giving up their time.

• NSW Government Acts to Protect Volunteer Firefighters.pdf (147.6 KB)

• Assistance for bush fire affected communities.pdf (167.8 KB)

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell today welcomed the arrival of the 'Gypsy Lady' firefighting Air-Crane to NSW, further bolstering the Rural Fire Service's aerial water-bombing capability this summer.

• Air Crane Arrives for NSW Fire Season.pdf (147.3 KB)