I speak in support of the Rural Fires Amendment (Fire Fighting Fleet) Bill 2026. The bill is not just about a transfer of ownership of certain assets from one level of government to another. As a government, we understand the concerns of regional councils and their communities. We are pleased to be delivering this reform, which was ignored by the previous Government. In particular, I acknowledge the Country Mayors Association, Local Government NSW and the Rural Fire Service Association and thank them for their work. The bill is an investment in safety and in our regions. The Minns Labor Government is backing regional communities with $470 million worth of investment in the 2026-27 budget to modernise management of the NSW Rural Fire Service fleet, known as the red fleet. That 10-year commitment is about enhancing bushfire and emergency response to better protect communities in our regions by ensuring that RFS trucks are safe and reliable.
More than $29 million will be invested over two years to establish up to eight RFS regional maintenance hubs and providers, along with $106 million over four years for critical maintenance and safety upgrades. The bill will bring fleet ownership, management and operational responsibility together within the RFS. It will modernise and enhance management of the State's firefighting fleet with the aim of improving fleet safety, reliability and consistency across New South Wales. As we have heard from the Minister and those who have advocated for quite some time, the new arrangements make the commissioner of the RFS responsible for the ownership and maintenance of the State's firefighting fleet and will support better visibility of vehicle condition and use across the State. Vehicle life-cycle management will be managed centrally, better reflecting the current operating model and day-to-day needs of the service, its members and the community.
A dedicated fleet workforce, supported by a modern, integrated fleet management system and consistent statewide maintenance standards, will strengthen fleet safety, reliability and performance for RFS members and its large volunteer workforce. The Government knows that RFS members and volunteers rely on those vehicles every day to provide firefighting and emergency services to remote and regional communities. Often, those services are provided in challenging and unpredictable conditions. A reliable, well‑built and well-maintained fleet is of paramount importance.
As part of the future model, the RFS will establish eight mechanical fleet maintenance hubs across the State, supported by mobile mechanical staff and dedicated service vehicles, delivering maintenance, inspections and repairs close to brigades and operational locations. The hubs will create jobs and apprenticeships for regional communities, support local industry and strengthen the resilience of the RFS into the future. Over time, RFS members and volunteers should see more consistent fleet management practices, improved maintenance oversight and improved support arrangements. Communities should see agile and reliable operational responses and services for the prevention or suppression of bush and other fires and the protection of life or property across the State.
We owe our volunteers so much. To run toward danger, whilst we often run away, shows a civic mindedness and selfless devotion to community. Our RFS volunteers represent the best of who we are in New South Wales. Measures that improve the safety of volunteers should always be a priority for the parliamentarians who represent them. The commissioner of the RFS, Trent Curtin, said:
This is a landmark and momentous reform for the RFS and one of the most significant investments in our operational capability in recent years.
Our firefighters rely on these vehicles every day in some of the most demanding and unpredictable conditions, and it is essential we equip them with a fleet that is safe, reliable and fit for purpose.
This reform establishes, for the first time, a consistent and modern approach to fleet management across NSW. It strengthens safety, improves reliability and ensures our members are always ready to respond when communities need them.
I acknowledge a few other people. I met with numerous RFS brigades and their members and communities across the State when I was the shadow Minister for Emergency Services. It was during a difficult time, in the lead-up to the Black Summer bushfires. Some of those people knew what we were in for more than we did, yet we did not always listen to them. When I travelled around the State again after the fires, I heard their harrowing stories. They taught us lessons, whether it was through submissions to the bushfire inquiry or providing members with details of what happened on the ground. They taught us that we should listen to those boots on the ground.
I also acknowledge those in the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains is synonymous with bushfire. It is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world. We prepare, educate and engage with community all year round, not just during bushfire season. They are out all year round. We respond to bushfire threats way too often. I thank the exceptional Blue Mountains District of the RFS, under the leadership of Superintendent Rob Vinzenz. I thank every brigade in the Blue Mountains, every volunteer, every staff member in the district office and every family of every firefighter. Finally, I pay tribute to my former boss, the former member for Blue Mountains and former commissioner of the RFS, Phil Koperberg, AO, AFSM, BEM. He built the New South Wales bushfire brigade entity into the mighty RFS empire it is today. He would be pleased that I am speaking to this bill. I thank him for his service. I still love your guts, PK. I commend the bill to the House.
