A roster of helicopter crews is undertaking the statewide inspections of fire trails across NSW. Photos: Supplied.
The NSW Government is getting on the front foot ahead of bushfire season with helicopter inspections underway on fire trails across the state to prioritise maintenance work.
Aerial inspections kicked off in Sydney and will continue across the state this month.
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said Crown Lands and the Rural Fire Service were working together to review more than 540 fire trails.
“Crown Lands is responsible for maintaining approximately 2400 kilometres of fire trails, and over 660 hectares of Asset Protection Zones, across NSW to ensure adequate firebreaks between bushland and buildings in residential areas,” Mr Kamper said.
“Ensuring our fire trails are properly maintained is critical to protecting our firefighters and communities across the state as we head into a potentially dangerous bushfire season.
“It also has broader bushfire management responsibilities across the entire Crown land estate. In addition to the aerial inspections, there are also many other fire trails on Crown land that are more easily accessible and so are inspected using 4WD vehicles.”
Once the survey is complete, maintenance crews will move in to ensure fire trails remain accessible.
Some $7.9 million has been allocated for on-ground maintenance and upgrades along with a further $4.8 million for hazard reduction activities including controlled burns and maintenance to protect communities.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said: “All of this targeted preparatory work ensures our fire trails are ready for summer so that firefighting crews and their vehicles can access these routes to fight fires.
“Quick responses to control bushfires are crucial to help contain blazes before they spread, and this is one of many measures we are putting in place to support firefighting efforts.
“Along with targeted hazard reduction activity, this work helps reduce risks to residents and property.”
Helicopter-based inspections are considered more efficient than ground patrols by vehicles, particularly in remote and less-accessible areas, and reduce check times from months to weeks.
Maintenance crews are then dispatched to carry out vegetation removal, erosion repairs, drainage and fire trail stability work, and construction and maintenance of vehicle passing and turning bays.
Inspections from helicopters are more efficient than ground patrols in remote areas.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said it was all about being as prepared as possible ahead of the inevitable summer bushfires.
“Making sure the fire trails are clear of fallen trees and other obstacles gives our firefighters the best chance of getting to a blaze quickly and protecting lives and property,” she said.
“Agencies including the Rural Fire Service, Fire & Rescue NSW, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Forestry Corporation all rely on properly maintained fire trails for their firefighting appliances, so I applaud this work to ensure we are ready for summer.”
If landowners have concerns about a potential bushfire hazard, they should contact the Rural Fire Service.
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