THE Erikson Air Crane Gypsy Lady and the DC 10 Very Large Air Tanker Southern Belle will team up with the firefighting Hercules C130 Thor for NSW's summer bushfire season.
Southern Belle and Thor have been recruited as part of a $9.8 million NSW Government's trial, with the aircrafts able to drop a combined 44,000 litres of water or fire retardant on bush and grass fires.
"When you consider the normal bucket-load carried by a water bombing helicopter is around 1500 litres, and an Air Crane has up to 9000-litre dropping capacity, the potential impact of these impressive firefighting planes is incredible," Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott said.
On the first day of the official Bush Fire Danger Period, NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons also reminded the community of the weather outlook.
"With a confirmed El-Nino weather pattern in place, we are prepared for what could be a difficult fire season," Mr Fitzsimmons said.
"Despite the imposing firefighting capacity of these aircraft and the commitment of our firefighters, people should not be complacent when it comes to bushfire."
Fire and Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Jim Smith stressed that having a well-prepared property was crucial when it comes to reducing the risk of devastation from bushfire.
Federal Government jointly funds the Air Crane Gypsy Lady and contributes more than $14 million per year to the cost of making firefighting aircraft available to the states and territories, through the National Aerial Firefighting Arrangements.
"By pooling our resources, governments in all jurisdictions get very good aerial firefighting capability and value for money," Minister for Defence, Senator Marise Payne said.
Southern Belle, Gypsy Lady, and Thor complement more than 100 aircraft already contracted to support firefighting operations across NSW this bushfire season. The aircraft will be deployed across the state and interstate as necessary from Bankstown Airport.
Disaster assistance activated for NSW August storms
FEDERAL justice minister Michael Keenan and NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant today announced disaster assistance has been activated in response to the August storms which affected parts of the NSW coast and western Sydney.
Mr Keenan said the Australian and New South Wales governments are committed to working together to assist affected communities through the recovery process. "Assistance is being provided to the local government areas of Penrith, Shoalhaven, Upper Hunter and Wollongong through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
"The range of assistance measures activated under the NDRRA will ensure that storm-affected communities have access to the help they need to recover, and councils and state agencies have the financial support they need for clean-up operations and repairing damaged infrastructure" Mr Keenan said.
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444.
Information on disaster assistance available for this natural disaster can be found on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the NSW Office of Emergency Management's website at
