Upgrades for Manjimup, Walpole airstrips to assist firefighting

5/2/03
Aerial fire suppression facilities at Manjimup are being upgraded through a joint initiative among the Department of Conservation and Land Management, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and the Shire of Manjimup.
Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards today said the new facilities were aimed at ensuring aerial fire fighting operations were carried out safely with minimal disruption to other aircraft using the Manjimup strip.
The department was also planning improvements at its existing Walpole airstrip that would support the water bombing activities, as well as assisting the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Dr Edwards, who will visit Manjimup and Greenbushes today, said the works at Manjimup included increasing the standing water storage for the bombers to 50,000 litres and stepping up the water supply to the storage.
The modifications meant that the department and FESA could maintain a sustained aerial attack based at the airstrip for two days.
"This is a significant improvement on the previous capacity that meant water had to be carted to the airstrip to replenish supplies," the Minister said.
Other works have included a new base for refueling the water bombers as well as two sealed helipads for helicopter operations.
"The improvements mean there is a now a clear separation between the reloading and refueling points for the water bombers and other aircraft involved in fire suppression operations," Dr Edwards said.
"Not only will this be safer for pilots and ground crews, it also will reduce the inconvenience to other users of the airstrip."
The Minister said the basing of water bombers in Manjimup was part of the State Government initiative to bolster the State's aerial fire fighting capacity.
The Government had allocated an extra $1million for two fixed-wing water bombers in Manjimup and two water bombing helicopters in Perth. These were in addition to the two bombers already based in Perth and the two in Bunbury.
Additional improvements being considered for the Manjimup airstrip included new access routes for fire crews and high speed taxi-ways for the bombers.
At Walpole, the department is planning to extend the existing airstrip from 850m to 1,200m.
Dr Edwards said the longer strip would help ensure the water bombers could take off with full water loads.
"It also will make the airstrip more suitable for the RFDS operations in the Walpole-Nornalup area," she said.
"It is a very good example of the department taking an integrated approach to facilities throughout the South-West forests that not only will increase protection against wildfires, but also will have flow-on benefits for the local community."
Minister's office: 9220 5050