THE Federal Government will spend an additional $2.5 million to lease firefighting equipment, including a third heavy ‘Elvis’type helicopter, from the United States for the fire season.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood and McMillan MP Russell Broadbent said the sky crane would significantly help firefighting in the electorates.
Mr Broadbent said McMillan had already suffered from more than 40 fires and the fire season were not even into the hottest months.
Mr Wood said he was pleased the decision would enable residents to feel safer knowing this equipment was available.
“It is apparent that this summer could be the hottest on record and McMillan and La Trobe are in extreme danger areas,” he said.
“The Dandenong Ranges has already suffered heavily from severe bushfires, including Ash Wednesday in 1983.”
The funding will be provided to the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) which has responsibility for the national coordination of leasing and allocation of aerial firefighting resources.
The funding will meet up to half the costs of leasing and positioning the aircraft.
The MPs said consistent with current natural disaster management responsibilities, state governments would be responsible for meeting the remaining costs, including operational costs.
“The extra $2.5 million being provided in 200506 will be used to meet the extra leasing and positioning costs of additional aircraft as agreed by states and the ACT as members of NAFC,” they said.
Jim Mynard
