Community & Business
23 January, 2025
Unregistered farm units to take part in firefighting trial
Farmers are being urged to take part in an operational trial of ‘Farm Fire Units’.
Farmers are being urged to take part in an operational trial of ‘Farm Fire Units’, under a NSW government project that will run until March 31.
Under the trial, private farm vehicles that are used for firefighting purposes – generally known as Farm Fire Units or Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles – can be used unregistered under certain conditions.
NSW Farmers representative John Lowe said the current catastrophic damage being caused by bushfires overseas was a stark reminder of the importance of having key firefighting tools available in emergency situations. “These out of season bushfires are burning out of control in the United States, and is a stark reminder of how fires here in NSW could get out of hand if we don’t have the right tools available locally,” he said. “If you’ve got a vehicle that’s in a safe operating condition and has firefighting equipment permanently attached, then we strongly encourage you to nominate it for the trial as soon as possible.”
NSW Farmers is hoping the trial will lead to a permanent agreement on using unregistered farm firefighting fleet legally and under the protection of third-party insurance.
Interested landholders should use the Farm Fire Fighting Vehicle Nomination Form which is downloadable from the website: www.nsw.gov.au
