NT government commits extra $12.5m to aerial firefighting program, $2.1m for Gamba Army

The NT government has commited an extra $12.5m to its aerial firefighting program as well as $2.1m for the Gamba Army.

An extra $12.5m will be invested into the Territory’s aerial firefighting program over the next five years as part of a government plan to tackle wildfires.

Under the plan announced in the 2023 budget, $2.5m will be invested annually under the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) agreement.

The funding will ensure resources and equipment are swiftly delivered to remote areas, provide greater access to firebombing and the aerial ignition of back-burns and will support fire detection, investigation and mapping.

The government has also announced further funding to tackle gamba grass, a highly invasive weed with a high fuel-load that increases risk of bushfires.

An extra $12.5m will be invested in the Northern Territory's aerial firefighting program over the next five years. Picture: Bushfires NT

Gamba grass is rapidly spreading through areas including Litchfield National Park, with researchers expecting 30 per cent of the park to be overrun by the weed in the next decade if urgent action isn’t taken.

It comes after the government announced a working group would be established to assess the impacts of buffel grass, a plant with a large fuel load which Central Australian environmental groups say heightens wildfire intensity and impacts biodiversity.

The Gamba Army will receive a total investment of $2.1m over five years as part of the initiative, with a total investment of $1.025m going into gamba management.

The funding into the Gamba Army will go to their work on the ground spraying the invasive species across hundreds of hectares and multiple sites, while the latter funding into gamba management will go into other areas, including research and communications.

Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Minister Lauren Moss said the use of aerial firefighting was a ‘”critical part” of the government’s wildfire response.

Gamba Grass is known to have a high fuel load and is rapidly spreading through areas including Litchfield National Park.

“The Territory’s important aerial firefighting program assists in gathering intelligence, bushfire planning and public safety messaging, as well as reducing the intensity of bushfires with firebombing,” Ms Moss said.

“Bushfires are a part of the Northern Territory landscape, and can become a threat with very little notice, so it’s important for all Territorians to be prepared, maintain firebreaks and stay informed.”

The government has also committed $5m to firefighter recruitment in the budget, with two new fire trucks with 35m ladders costing $4.2m and a $2.3m redevelopment of the old Palmerston fire station into a training facility also announced.

It comes as the union representing Territory firefighters says more firefighters are resigning as real risks to the agency were not being addressed.