An Albanese Labor Government will improve Eden-Monaro’s disaster readiness by investing in forestry trucks fitted with water tanks across the region.  

 Labor will contribute $1.25 million towards stationing extra forestry trucks with firefighting capability in key areas across Eden-Monaro, including Bombala and the Snowy Valleys. 

 This project is a critical piece of infrastructure to future-proof Eden-Monaro against the impacts of devastating natural disasters.  

Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain visited Rodwell Logging in Bombala earlier this year to see their state-of-the-art forestry truck which the company fitted with a 19,000-litre water tank and equipped with effective firefighting capabilities.

“The Black Summer Bushfires delivered a huge blow to Australia's hardwood and softwood supplies. As a country we can’t afford to lose more of our timber stores, so we need to be more prepared for the next disaster,” Ms McBain said.

“This funding will make a world of difference in our area which has a strong history of forestry workers and businesses stepping up to protect our communities from bushfires.”

The project will be delivered in collaboration with Forestry Corporation, local forestry contractors and businesses.  

 The trucks will be funded through Labor’s Disaster Ready Fund, which will revamp the Morrison Government’s failed Emergency Response Fund and invest up to $200 million per year on disaster prevention and resilience. 
  
“Three years after it was announced, the $4.8 billion Emergency Response Fund has not spent a cent on disaster recovery and has not completed a single disaster prevention project,” Shadow Minister for Disaster and Emergency Management Murray Watt said.

“All it has done is earn the Morrison Government over $800 million in interest. 
  
“Labor will put these funds to work to keep Eden-Monaro residents safe, keep properties safe and reduce the cost of repairing damage from natural disasters.” 
  
Only an Albanese Labor Government will keep Australians safe and communities strong in the face of natural disasters. 
  
Only Labor will build a better future for disaster prone communities.