NSW releases 10-year bushfire plan
NSW releases 10-year bushfire plan
22 April 2013
published by www.theaustralian.com.au
Australia — NSW will double hazard reduction burning as part of its first 10-year plan for managing bushfires in national parks.
Environment Minister Robyn Parker released the strategy on Monday, saying that with more people living close to bushland it was important to plan ahead, rather than just from year to year.
“Of course we cannot bushfire-proof our state but we can make sure the National Parks and Wildlife Service works alongside all government agencies, our communities and park neighbours to minimise the threat of bushfire.”
Ms Parker said the Living with Fire in NSW National Parks Strategy 2012-21 was the first ever statewide 10-year plan for managing fuel reduction and firefighting in parks and reserves.
She said that this year already the NPWS had conducted hazard reduction burns on more than 110,000 hectares – the largest ever.
Ms Parker said the government had provided an extra $62.5 million over five years to help NPWS to double the number of hazard reduction burns when the weather allowed and to employ new firefighters.
