Hon Rick Mazza questions the cost and effectiveness of deploying a large air tanker (LAT) from NSW to WA for bushfire operations in December 2019. The Minister's response indicates costs are not yet finalised and an evaluation will be included in the annual review.

AnsweredQoN 145Legislative Council
Asked
10 March 2020
Portfolio
Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

FIRE AND EMERGENCY
SERVICES — LARGE AIR TANKER
145. Hon RICK MAZZA to the minister representing the
Minister for Emergency Services:
I
refer to the Boeing 737 large air tanker that was sent to Western Australia
from New South Wales in December 2019 to bolster the state's
fire response capabilities.
(1) What was the cost to the state in bringing the LAT
to WA to assist with bushfire operations in December 2019?
(2) How many firefighting missions
did the LAT perform?
(3) Has the
Department of Fire and Emergency Services reviewed and reported on the cost
effectiveness of the deployment of the LAT from New South Wales to WA for
firefighting?
(4) Will the minister make the DFES
report available to the public?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The resource
was subject to a bilateral arrangement between New South Wales and Western Australia.
Costs are yet to be finalised.
(2) There was one mission—seven
drops over two days.
(3) No. The
Department of Fire and Emergency Services will undertake an evaluation of the
New South Wales LAT effectiveness. This will be included in the annual review
that is conducted on DFES aerial operations at the conclusion of each bushfire
season.
(4) Not applicable.

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