The Northern Territory Top End bushfire season has begun.

To make sure you are safe this fire season:

• Create and maintain fire breaks at least 4m wide;
• Ensure safe access to property for emergency response vehicles; and
• Have a survival plan in place.

To assist Territorians in creating and maintaining safe properties, the Territory Labor Government announced in April the Fire Ready Program.

The purpose of the program is to assist elderly and vulnerable rural landholders to reduce their bushfire risk, by installing firebreaks and reducing gamba grass fuel loads. So far, 21 properties have been attended to with another 10 lined up for work over the next month. 

The Gamba Army has also been busy, spraying over 3000 hectares of gamba infested land during the past 6 months.

Following recent fire seasons, the Territory Government allocated $2 million towards updating firefighting infrastructure to keep lives and properties safe. As part of this investment, $840,000 has gone towards six new trucks that have been custom made to meet the needs of Bushfires NT staff and volunteers fighting fires on the frontline. Each volunteer brigade will have a chance to use these new vehicles prior to an entire fleet of trucks being purchased.

Territorians have also taken part in the Gamba Action Program which supported our highest number ever of 2,352 landholders with free herbicide and equipment loans to manage gamba fuel loads on their rural properties.

Along with the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service, there are about 350 Bushfire NT Volunteers who will this year be tackling fires, protecting Territory lives, property and the environment. 

Quotes from the Minister for Environment, Eva Lawler:

“With the Top End fire season here, the Territory Government is making sure all landholders are prepared by lending a hand to those that need it most, and working with other landholders to make sure fire loads are reduced to limit the risk to the community.

“The six new fire trucks complement our new Bushfires HQ on Townend Road, which makes sure our volunteers are supported and ready to tackle fires in a safe and effective manner.

“Our firies and volunteers do a marvellous job on keeping Territorians safe and I thank them for their tireless work.”