Page 3130 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 17 October 2006
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expecting extreme bushfire conditions, and why has Molonglo 10 been in for repairs for the past eight weeks?
MR CORBELL: I thank Mr Stefaniak for the question. In relation to the specific vehicles, I will, of course, take that element of the question on notice and provide further information to the member. But, in relation to the overall maintenance of the RFS vehicle fleet, there is no doubt that elements of the RFS vehicle fleet are increasing in age, and that means that a higher level of maintenance and servicing is required to ensure that those vehicles maintain their operational readiness. It is the case that a number of vehicles require additional servicing. That is due to the age of those vehicles, and that maintenance will be undertaken as soon as possible.
In relation to the protection of the north side of Canberra during the day of total fire ban: given that a number of those vehicles were not operational, arrangements were put in place for other vehicles, and indeed for other elements of the ACT Fire Brigade, to be available to respond to a fire in the event of that occurring during a total fire ban in those areas.
It is worth remembering that response in the built-up area is under the operational control of the ACT Fire Brigade and, in the event of a fire occurring in the built-up area of the ACT, it would inevitably be elements of the ACT Fire Brigade, along with, potentially, departmental units, who would be the first response in the event of a total fire ban. It would only be where the incident was of a size that was significant that volunteer units would then respond. Indeed, volunteer units are not usually the first attending units at a fire in the built-up area.
Mr Smyth: What about the non-built-up area?
MR CORBELL: It tends to be either the ACT Fire Brigade or a departmental unit such as the parks brigade.
Mr Smyth: But what about the non-built-up areas?
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Smyth!
MR CORBELL: These are issues of concern to me, but I am confident that the ESA, and the RFS in particular, are working through issues to do with the maintenance of parts of their vehicles.
Mr Smyth: Light years ahead.
MR SPEAKER: I warn you, Mr Smyth.
MR CORBELL: Further, I will be giving further consideration to what steps the government needs to take in future budgets as it relates to all ESA fleet issues, including the fleet of the RFS.
MR SPEAKER: Does the member have a supplementary question?
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