The Australian Government is pleased to announce an ongoing commitment to the New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service by continuing access to RAAF Base Richmond, RAAF Base Williamtown and HMAS Albatross to support aerial firefighting operations.
Defence will negotiate an extension to the current agreement with the NSW Rural Fire Service for access to these sites for a further 3 years, through to 2029.
The NSW Rural Fire Service is a critical national capability and this agreement will ensures they can continue to protect the Australian community and our environment through aerial firefighting operations facilitated from the Defence estate.
The NSW Rural Fire Service is the world’s largest volunteer fire service, providing fire and emergency services to approximately 95 percent of NSW.
Defence has supported the NSW Rural Fire Service by providing access to Defence sites over the past decade.
Defence is proud to work with our emergency services to keep the community safe in times of need, including in the Black Summer bushfires, the 2022 Eastern Australia floods and, most recently, the North Queensland floods.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy:
“The Government is proud of the enduring relationship between Defence and the NSW Rural Fire Service.
“This relationship goes to the heart of the concepts of national defence and resilience, as outlined in the National Defence Strategy, by bolstering the NSW Rural Fire Service’s ability to respond to natural disasters.
“It is a further demonstration of the outcomes that can be achieved through greater partnerships between the Commonwealth, states, territories and industry.
“This commitment will ensure the Australian people are safe and our communities are protected, through fire and emergency services operating from Defence bases.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon:
“Having lived through earthquakes, fires and floods, Novocastrians know just how vital our local emergency services are in supporting communities in times of crisis.
“Providing access to RAAF Bases across NSW, including Williamtown, will give communities and emergency services the certainty they need to continue this lifesaving work.”
