By ERWIN CHLANDA
What’s the NT Government doing to prevent another bushfire catastrophe like the one that burned half of the West MacDonnell National Park in January?
Nothing, it seems.
Standley Chasm lodge, with January’s blaze just metres away.
An investigation by the Alice Springs News revealed that most facilities are in place in Alice Springs for the use of large water bombers – airport, water and airport fire fighters.
But authorities have still not joined the network though which the large planes can be booked.
In regards to the question about large water bombers, the situation has not changed,” says a spokesman for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
And last month were told the Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture “is conducting a review following the bushfires at the Park earlier this year.
“This will inform ongoing fire action plans.” Note the word “will”.
We have asked for a copy of the review but the department has not replied to that request. We assume this means the review is still not finished – with the next fire season well and truly upon us – or it will not be released by the government to the public.
Meanwhile it seems clear Central Australia will be missing out on aa $11m boost by the Federal Government of the country’s aerial firefighting capabilities.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a media release: “This additional funding will see more specialised firefighting aircraft take to the skies to keep Australians safe this summer.
“That’s on top of the $15m we already deliver each year for aerial firefighting to tackle what has already been a devastating fire season.
Boeing 373 water bomber
“We want to ensure our fireys get the aerial support they need and have asked for.”
Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said in a media release the additional funding would enable annual lease periods of firefighting aircraft to be extended and ensures the right mix and type of aircraft are available to protect communities this summer.
“It is clear we are facing longer and more intense seasons.”
The National Aerial Firefighting Centre has more than 140 aircraft at its disposal to be directed to wherever they are needed, says Mr Morrison’s release.
These aircraft, contracted on behalf of state and territory governments, are supplemented by additional state owned, and state contracted aircraft and other aircraft hired to meet peak demand across Australia.
In total more than 500 aircraft, provided by over 150 operators, are available for firefighting across Australia.
However, Labor says the Morrison initiative “has shortchanged the nation’s fire chiefs, in their attempts to defend communities against bushfires.
Two years ago, the National Aerial Firefighting Centre told the Federal Government that it needed an extra $10.7m per year.
“Scott Morrison’s announcement today is just a one off payment of $11m, for this summer only. It is a band aid solution, not a long term plan.”
UPDATE 12.30pm
A spokeswoman for Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture says: “The report you refer to is an operational document still being worked on / with, not a public document.”
Friday, April 19, 2024
The freedom of the press still furnishes that check upon government which no constitution has ever been able to provide – Chicago Tribune.
What the government knows but can’t say is that it is uneconomic to try to battle large fires in Central Australia and a waste of time trying.
Buffel grass sowed the seeds of permanent environmental disruption and then came climate change.
Before our eyes and quicker than anyone predicted the local landscape is being transformed and we can’t stop it.
It is doubtful we can even slow the rate of change.
Ultimately, grass plains with shrubs but few trees is the future.
The airport cannot facilitate such a aircraft in terms of refilling with water.
There is not enough water and pump speed which needs to be beneficial in assisting in fire operations by the time the airport has filled it up the fire would of travelled another 10km in those west macs fires.
Even though I am very passionate about the environment they are mainly used for assets protection and the fires in Central Australia rarely effect properties. You need to understand the operations in a fire incident.
[ED – “Interested” is wrong. The details about adequate water availability and flow rate at the Alice Springs airport are here.]