BUSHFIRES — LARGE AIR TANKER
358. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Emergency Services:
I
refer to the minister's media statement of 19 April 2022, titled ''First
locally based Large Air Tanker to fight WA bushfires''.
(1) Has a contract
between the government and the provider of the large air tanker been signed;
and, if so, when was it signed and to what value?
(2) What company
or entity will be contractually providing the annual three-month LAT services?
(3) Where will
the LAT be based?
(4) What criteria
has been or will be assessed in determining the base location for the LAT?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the Leader of the Opposition
for some notice of the question.
(1) No.
(2) This is yet to be determined.
(3)–(4) The
Department of Fire and Emergency Services will determine the base location
based on risk and the proximity to likely area of operation. Other factors
include the suitability of the airport, runway length, jet aviation
infrastructure and hangar facilities used to support the LAT operations; the
ability to establish and maintain an aircraft retardant mixing facility and aircraft
reloading infrastructure; and ground support at the airport. An announcement
about the LAT base location will be made in the coming days.