Bushfire Prevention

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:14): My question is to the Minister for Forest Industries. Can the minister update the council about the activity underway by ForestrySA to prepare for the upcoming fire season?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:15): I thank the honourable member for this question. The 2023-24 fire season in the Mount Lofty Ranges commenced yesterday and I am pleased to update the council on the significant amount of work that has been conducted by ForestrySA to ensure adequate preparation to protect our valuable forest assets in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

As members would of course be aware, bushfires pose a significant threat to commercial pine plantations, along with the network of native forest reserves. ForestrySA actively contributes to an important range of fire protection initiatives designed to mitigate bushfire risk at a landscape level in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Each year, ForestrySA employs a dedicated seasonal fire crew of around 20 staff, who provide around-the-clock fire protection. I am advised that this year's seasonal crew have started training ahead—in preparation for the season. These seasonal fire crews are also assisted by other regular ForestrySA staff who undertake firefighting duties.

ForestrySA maintains a fleet of specialist forest firefighting appliances, and I understand they recently invested in the refurbishment of six FireKing firefighting vehicles. These machines are based on the defence Bushmaster vehicles and are ideally suited to forest firefighting, which often presents extremely difficult terrain to navigate. They are complemented by three bulk water carriers.

I also understand ForestrySA is currently conducting a firebreak maintenance program to ensure plantation areas are accessible and that fuel and vegetation levels are managed. They have also worked with the Department for Environment and Water in the lead-up to the season, starting to undertake a number of prescribed burn-offs.

Of course, ForestrySA does not just protect its own forests from the threat of bushfires, but local communities across the Mount Lofty Ranges, including the hundreds of direct neighbours and a suite of local wood processors that are situated across the region, rely on the success of ForestrySA's fire protection program.

As the fire season arrives, it is a timely reminder that because of these risks all ForestrySA forests are closed to the public on total fire ban days. ForestrySA routinely updates its fire management framework ahead of each fire danger season. This framework includes a formal policy position, annual risk mitigation plans, and permanent and seasonal staff onboarding and training.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Can we just please listen to the minister.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Their firefighting team is formally established as a brigade of the South Australian Country Fire Service, while also collaborating with the CFS, DEW and SA Water to ensure strong fire management outcomes are delivered.

ForestrySA also facilitates training for CFS cadets to encourage future firefighters, and works with SAPOL on fire management procedures and matters relating to Operation Nomad, which is increased police patrols through high-risk bushfire areas and monitoring of would-be arsonists. I am confident that members in this place understand and appreciate the enormous economic and environmental benefits that forests provide our community, and that is why it is critical that bushfire prevention plans are implemented to protect these precious assets.