Fiona Scott (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was a bit over 12 months ago when we saw a disastrous bushfire ravage the homes of the Blue Mountains. As my electorate of Lindsay sits in the foothills of this spectacular bushland, my community knows, oh so well, what devastation bushfires can cause.

Hence it was a huge honour to attend the opening on Sunday of the refurbished Londonderry Rural Fire Brigade station—not to mention the handover of five trucks to the local Cumberland zone, including Berkshire Park and Mulgoa. This is a clear example of the Baird government's commitment to the people of Western Sydney.

I would also like to congratulate my friend and colleague Stuart Ayres, the state member for Penrith, who is also the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner, Rob Rogers, and Liberal candidate for Londonderry, Bernard Bratusa, as well as the entire team of the Cumberland rural fire service. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service is at the cutting edge of bush firefighting due to significant improvements in technology, training, equipment and communications. To quote the minister:

A new era has begun as the New South Wales government is committed to ensuring the safety of the Londonderry community by providing our firefighters with the best equipment and resources.

I would like to congratulate the Baird government for supporting our rural fire services. I would like to congratulate the minister and all of the wonderful volunteers that help this wonderful organisation.