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Call to protect farm fire-fighting units

Western Plains App

Kristin Murdock

26 December 2024, 1:40 AM

Call to protect farm fire-fighting units

State government promises to allow farmers to permanently use unregistered vehicles during a fire emergency have been shelved.


While drawing ire from some quarters, local fire officials say volunteer numbers are still strong.


At times, farmers will have fire-fighting equipment and water stored on unregistered vehicles only intended for paddock use, but when an emergency arises, every drop counts.


The NSW Opposition has been calling on the Minns Labor Government to permanently allow conditional registrations for farm fire fighting vehicles, to boost capacity this firefighting season.



After a trial last year, which enabled farmers to use unregistered vehicles during an emergency, there were expectations it would be a permanent change, but instead Government has opted for a second trial to run between December 13 and March 31,

2025.

Farmers at the fire forefront


 Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Gurmesh Singh said the delay is disappointing given Labor promised to make the scheme permanent before the start of the bushfire season. 


“When a fire breaks out, farmers are often the first to respond, and they can play a key role in protecting properties, particularly before emergency crews arrive,” Mr Singh said. 


“In paddocks and sheds across regional New South Wales, there’s an army of privately owned firefighting assets known as the "mosquito fleet.


"They are ready to swarm and help contain a blaze, but they are stuck in red tape because they are not always registered.” 


When pushed on the issue by Nationals Upper House MP Scott Barrett in Parliament, Minister for Roads John Graham refused to honour the commitment.


“We cannot afford to kick it down the road any further; we need some action now," Mr Barrett said in response.


"We need the scheme implemented so that, in the words of Minister Graham when the first trial was announced, we can support the farmers 'to continue their vital, life-saving work.'"


Farmers join in the battle against the Sir Ivan Bushfire, which burned for a whole month in 2017. Photo: NSW Farmers, Fairfax, Nick Moir


Regardless of the to-ing and fro-ing in Parliament, the vital thing is efficient fighting fire on the ground, something Luke Robinson, RFS District Commander at Coonamble is all too aware of.


He said he has not noticed a reduction in the numbers of farmer fire-fighting units on local fire grounds this summer.


“This issue is about the different agencies making sure they get it right and to ensure vehicles are safe, not just for the person driving it, but for other road users," Mr Robinson said.


“We have definitely not seen a reduction in farm firefighter units coming out to assist during fires.


"They are a fantastic help, and the majority own registered vehicles.


"Having a totally unregistered vehicle that's a fire-fighting unit, would be pretty unusual in our area.


"There'd be a couple around, especially when farmers start buying old fire trucks.



"There's a lot of take up by farmers throughout regional New South Wales of old RFS vehicles.


"In Walgett, Coonamble, Warren, and Bogan, which are the LGA's I look after, we've seen significant attendance from our farmers this season and they've been absolutely fantastic with working and communicating with our crews," Mr Robinson said.


"Ultimately, whether they're RFS members or not, they're still covered under our worker's compensation.”


Industry body encourages inclusion


NSW Farmers are encouraging farmers to take part in the second trial. Business Economics and Trade Committee Chair, John Lowe said the scheme had come as welcome news to farmers across the state, who relied on farm fire units to respond to bushfires quickly and effectively.  


“Stopping fires as soon as we can is essential, and farm fire units play a key role in these firefighting efforts in rural communities,” Mr Lowe said. 


“Farmers need to be able to use these vehicles legally on the road when moving between farms and under the protection of third-party insurance. We hope that through this trial, we can secure a permanent solution to make that possible.


“If you’ve got a vehicle that’s in safe operating condition and has firefighting equipment permanently attached, then we strongly encourage you to nominate it for the trial as soon as possible."