Senator the Hon Murray Watt

Minister for Emergency Management

Anne Stanley MP

Government Whip

Member for Werriwa

Bushfire Preparedness in Full Swing in Werriwa

Bushfire preparedness in Werriwa is well underway ahead of the high-risk weather season, with the Albanese Government coordinating national efforts.

The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring 2023, released by AFAC (the National Council for Fire and Emergency Services) has forecast an increased risk of fire across parts of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

While the forecast for Werriwa is average, Member for Werriwa, Ms Anne Stanley MP, said it’s still possible to experience significant fires during average seasons.

“As Australia heads into its first significant fire season since Black Summer it is crucial all three levels of government, along with emergency responders are ready,” Ms Stanley MP said.

“The Albanese Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been working closely with state and territory services to plan for the coming fire season, assessing capability and working to streamline response efforts.

“And while governments and authorities are doing our bit to building resilience to be better prepared, now is also the time for local communities to start preparing for the risk of potential fires and heatwaves.

“Now is the time to be familiarising yourself with the warning systems, cleaning out your gutters, keeping your lawns short and clearing tall grass, debris and vegetation from the perimeter of your house, which could all save your property in a fire.”

Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the Albanese Government had taken huge steps forward in how Australia prepares, responds to, and recovers from bushfire events.

“After a few seasons of intense rainfall and floods, we know that there will be a lot of stress for communities, particularly in those areas that were impacted during Black Summer,” Minister Watt said.

“The Seasonal Outlook predicts that this summer will result in more fast-moving grass and scrub fires, rather than the longer forest fires experienced in 2019-20.

“We stand ready to help whenever and wherever needed and will have a National Large Air Tanker on hand to respond quickly.

“There's also a new fire danger rating system to be able to more simply explain to people what the fire risk is and we're building a national stockpile of items that are needed in disasters and we continue to do what we can to be as ready as possible.”

In the past 12 months, the Albanese Government has introduced big improvements to the way Australia prepares for the higher risk weather season. This includes:

• Unifying the two arms of federal emergency management to create the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to be more efficient in disaster management.

• Co-investing $94 million with states and territories this year in bushfire mitigation and preparedness through the Albanese Government’s flagship Disaster Ready Fund.

• Supporting the leasing and positioning of a national fleet of highly specialised firefighting aircraft for use by state and territory governments through the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC), and the lease of another National Large Air Tanker.

• A new, simplified Australian Fire Danger Rating System so that no matter where someone is, they understand the fire risk and what action they need to take.

• Building a National Emergency Management Stockpile, which includes key resources such as emergency shelter, water and electricity, to enable states and territories to quickly access these resources in times of need.

• Through NEMA, coordinating partnerships with state and territory emergency services organisations, industry, the not-for-profit sector and other representative groups, which will enable a higher level of readiness for the upcoming season.

• Investing in Disaster Relief Australia to provide recovery and clean up support after disasters. DRA’s veteran-led operating model provides a trained, on the ground force during recovery and relief efforts.

• The Federal Government’s new National Situation Room (NSR) and the National Joint Common Operating Picture, which enables collaboration amongst federal, state and territory government agencies and non-government organisations during a crisis including obtaining satellite imagery from partner agencies as well as predictive analysis to anticipate likely challenges and associated impacts on communities.

Media Contact:

Anne Stanley MP (Alaa Ahmad): (02) 8783 0977