Large air tanker lease
The federal government has announced it will fund the leasing of a large airtanker to boost aerial firefighting muscle this fire season.
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The extra resourcing is important as the Bushfire Danger Period is already in place across a number of local government areas, as of September 1, 2021.
The government has committed an annual $4 million to lease the aircraft, because of the earlier starting and later finishing fire seasons.
It has a capability to drop more than 15,000 litres of retardant or water and will be deployed very quickly, based on need.
Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said it was an extra comfort to know we would have year-round access to a large air tanker.
This extra firefighting muscle is in addition to an existing fleet of more than 150 specialised aircraft, to protect our communities.
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The government is leading this work through record investment in, and concerted structural reform of, the national approach to suicide prevention.
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