The State Government said a five-year leasing deal has been struck to have the air tanker stationed in Queensland during future bushfire seasons.

The Government said it expected to use an RJ85 plane for this year and then a C130 for the rest of the four-year contract.

Since 2018, Queensland has been forced to ask New South Wales for its plane during catastrophic events but the resource was often unavailable.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said it became difficult to get access to the plane due to the bushfire crisis in the southern states.

“Queensland previously had the option to source call-when-needed LATs [Large Air Tankers] from interstate based on point-in-time requirements and availability,” Crawford said.

“But with New South Wales enduring its own bushfire emergency, it became increasingly difficult to secure the LAT last year.

“There were some instances where it was bound for Queensland only to be recalled to New South Wales.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new deal would guarantee firefighters had the best resources available at any time.

“The acquisition of this giant 15,000-litre aircraft will enhance our ability to fight bushfires over the next five years in Queensland,” Palaszczuk said.

“We saw how valuable waterbombing efforts were at Peregian, Sarabah, Stanthorpe and Pechey.

“Last year, I wrote to the Prime Minister requesting support to secure a LAT for Queensland, but Scott Morrison refused.

“I said we would go it alone and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

The State Government has set aside $15 million for the air tanker contract, which will also cover the cost of the crew.

An additional $3.1 million has been earmarked for ongoing costs of the plane including rent for a hanger, refuelling and maintenance.

The plane is used to make extensive suppressant breaks to assist fire crews on the ground and to waterbomb during bushfire events.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner Greg Leach said the air tanker would be a valuable asset.

“With Queensland, as well as other states and territories, experiencing these longer and more intense bushfire seasons, there is a strong potential for the 2020 bushfire season to be just as severe,” he said.

Leach said 72 planes were used during last year’s bushfire season in Queensland, which equated to more than 6557 hours flown.

“This was more than double the hours flown during the 2018 bushfire season, which shows how essential our aerial capabilities are,” he said.

“While we have only just seen the end of this bushfire season, QFES is already looking to the upcoming season and the addition of the LAT will play an important role in our preparation and response.”

– ABC