The Minns Labor Government of New South Wales is encouraging farmers to take part in a trial that exempts vehicles used to fight fires from registration, in a move that supports rural landholders this bush fire season.
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Under the trial, participants can nominate a Farm Fire Fighting Vehicle (FFFV), or a vehicle used for firefighting purposes, to respond to emergency bush fire incidents on public roads within 100km of their home.
FFFVs might be utility vehicles fitted out with hoses and other firefighting equipment. Typically, these vehicles are not used outside the farm, so registering them can seem unnecessary.
Many farmers and rural landholders play an important role in fighting fires on their own or neighbouring properties, especially before emergency services arrive.
The legal use of FFFVs on public roads to access fire-impacted areas is an important change ahead of the hottest months of the year and is something rural advocates have been calling for.
The second trial will run from 13 December 2024 to 31 March 2025, and will enable more farmers to
test the arrangement, after an initial trial was run between December 2023 and March this year.
As the second trial begins, Transport for NSW, the NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW Farmers are working together to continue to examine ways to introduce a permanent scheme.
More farmers are encouraged to trial this arrangement so more feedback can be obtained to inform future options.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said: “If a fire breaks out on a private property, we want landholders to have options at their disposal to help stop it spreading and this trial is a commonsense solution to help fight fires.”
“Landholders play an important role in fighting bush and grass fires in rural areas and often work
alongside Rural Fire Service volunteers and other emergency responders to keep fires at bay.” ■
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