The Albanese Government has agreed that the New South Wales Rural Fire Service can continue to access to RAAF Base Richmond, RAAF Base Williamtown and HMAS Albatross to support aerial firefighting operations with an extension to the current agreement through to 2029. This agreement will ensure the NSW RFS can continue to protect the local communities and our environment through aerial firefighting operations facilitated from these MoD bases.

The NSW Rural Fire Service is the world’s largest volunteer fire service, providing fire and emergency services to approximately 95 percent of NSW. The MoD has supported the NSW Rural Fire Service by providing access to sites over the past decade. 

 “This commitment provides important certainty for the RFS and supports their critical work to keep Australians and communities safe from bushfires. This relationship goes to the heart of the concepts of national defense and resilience, as outlined in the National Defense Strategy, by bolstering the NSW Rural Fire Service’s ability to respond to natural disasters. It is a further demonstration of the outcomes that can be achieved through greater partnerships between the Commonwealth, states, territories and industry.” Said Minister for Defense Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy.