Enhanced Aerial Firefighting Support for Australia’s Green Triangle Region Underway at Mount Gambier Airport
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By: John Ticker
Expanded Firefighting Resources for Green Triangle
New firefighting infrastructure is being established at Mount Gambier Regional Airport to safeguard 334,000 hectares of forest plantations throughout Australia’s Green Triangle. The project, announced by the Minister for Emergency Management, involves the addition of a 144,000-liter water tank and a dual diesel-electric pump, significantly upgrading the region’s aerial firefighting capacity.
Co-funded by over $415,000 from the Australian Government’s Disaster Ready Fund and the District Council of Grant, this new infrastructure aims to support fire authorities in mitigating bushfire risks across the region, including vital forested areas and communities from Kingston SE in South Australia to Warrnambool in Victoria.
Modernizing Decades-Old Firefighting Assets
The current project replaces equipment dating back to the 1960s. The new water tank and pump system is scheduled for completion in early 2025, bringing critical advancements to local firefighting capabilities. Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Jenny McAllister, emphasized the value of this investment for the Green Triangle Region’s forestry sector, noting its role in protecting pine and blue gum plantations across the Limestone Coast and Victoria’s Western Districts.
Senator McAllister added, “With improved water access, this upgrade provides essential resources for aerial firefighting, protecting forestry operations and the livelihoods of the many forestry workers in this region.”
Community Benefits from Upgraded Firefighting Resources
South Australia’s Minister for Emergency Services, Dan Cregan, highlighted the benefits of the Disaster Ready Fund’s contribution, which will strengthen firefighting resources for communities in one of the state’s most productive regions.
Local leaders, including Mayor Kylie Boston of the District Council of Grant, also commented on the airport’s importance in regional emergency operations, especially in aerial firefighting. Mayor Boston noted, “The Mount Gambier Regional Airport’s infrastructure supports essential emergency response efforts, particularly in bushfire-prone areas, ensuring a sustainable and effective waterbombing capability for years to come.”
Project Overview
The installation of a 144,000-liter water tank and a dual diesel-electric pump at Mount Gambier Regional Airport marks a crucial step toward protecting Australia’s Green Triangle from bushfires. With over $415,000 in funding from the Albanese Government’s Disaster Ready Fund and support from the District Council of Grant, this project aims to replace outdated infrastructure, fortifying firefighting measures in South Australia and Victoria by mid-2025. Local authorities recognize the airport’s strategic role in enhancing regional emergency management and ensuring forest plantation protection across the region.
