Bundaberg Regional Council’s 2021-22 budget will deliver improved bushfire resilience through the purchase of mobile firefighting equipment.
Disaster Management portfolio spokesperson Cr Greg Barnes said Council would have increased capacity to undertake fire management activities with the new equipment.
“Specialised equipment including trailers, a ute, an all-terrain vehicle and weather stations will be purchased ahead of the next bushfire season,” Cr Barnes said.
“The region’s residents are no strangers to extreme weather events but with this equipment at our disposal Council can support the efforts of the Rural Fire Brigade and contractors to minimise future risk.
“This can be achieved through activities including hazard reduction burns, fire line management and fire breaks.”
The investment in the mobile firefighting equipment was made possible through Local Economic Recovery Program funding, with Council to fund the equipment’s ongoing maintenance and operational costs.
“Funding has been provided to Council as one of the region’s impacted by the 2019 Queensland bushfires.
“What it will mean is a significant boost in our ability to practice responsible bushfire management on Council-owned land.”
Officers will engage with Traditional Owners within the region regarding partnering with Council to practice cultural and sustainable land management.
Also within Cr Barnes’ portfolio is continued investment in the Bundaberg Regional Airport, including helicopter area pavement strengthening and terminal floor coverings.
Cr Barnes said while revenue from the airport had been impacted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic it was important to continue investing in the regional facility which was an essential driver for tourism and business growth.
“In recent months we have seen Qantas returning to close to pre-COVID levels at the Bundaberg Airport,” Cr Barnes said.
“While there is still plenty of room for growth we have certainly seen a positive trend off the back of Queensland’s strong COVID response.”
The Local Economic Recovery Program (LER) is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
View the budget documents on the Council website.
The recent rains have highlighted the design inadequacies of like Haylocks Rd Electra. Large areas of water are currently impounded by the recent roadworks, leading to standing water across the road and to the rapid deterioration of the freshly graded road. It is imperative that BRC officers inspect the situation immediately and evaluate what can only be described as glaringly obvious problems. Once done; proper design solutions based about true levels rather than perceived ones can only then be put in place.
Don’t wait for the runoff to dry up. Act now while you still have road crews on-site.