The Minns Labor Government is backing regional communities with a $470 million investment in the 2026-27 NSW Budget to modernise management of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) fleet.
This 10-year commitment is about enhancing bushfire and emergency response to better protect communities in our regions by ensuring RFS trucks are safe and reliable.
More than $29 million will be invested over two years to establish up to eight RFS regional maintenance hubs and providers, along with $106 million over four years for critical maintenance and safety upgrades.
These hubs will be job and apprenticeship creators for regional communities, supporting local industry and strengthening the resilience of the RFS into the future.
The Minns Labor Government will also introduce legislation to transfer ownership of the State’s ‘red fleet’ of more than 6,000 firefighting vehicles from councils to the RFS.
This reform will consolidate operational responsibility for the red fleet under the State Government for the first time since the RFS was established almost 30 years ago. Ownership and management would be transferred from councils from 1 July 2027.
The new arrangements will deliver consistent statewide standards and improved reliability and vehicle lifecycle management, better reflecting the current operating model while continuing the longstanding partnership with councils to support emergency services.
Councils will be engaged over the coming twelve months to support the transition and identify opportunities to assist with future maintenance.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“We are planning for the future and investing in our firefighting fleet and facilities to strengthen community safety and the resilience of our emergency response. This reform is the next step in making our frontline services fi t for the future, giving local communities and our RFS volunteers the support they need to respond to bush fi res and other emergencies.
“Our focus on the state’s firefighting capability reflects our deep respect for the people who step up when it matters most.
“By working with local government to establish new fleet maintenance hubs and services we are also supporting local jobs and industry and ensuring communities benefit from this investment.”
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:
“Local councils have made it clear that the existing arrangements no longer reflect the practical reality that the Rural Fire Service operates the fleet, while councils continue to carry ownership and accounting responsibilities.
“Before any decision was made, it was important to understand how these arrangements arose, the role local government had historically sought to retain, and the consequences of any change.
“The Government has now accepted a pathway that aligns ownership with operational responsibility while recognising the continuing and important role councils play in bushfire prevention, hazard reduction and emergency management.
“Councils remain valued partners in protecting their communities, and this reform provides greater clarity about responsibilities while reducing an administrative burden that councils have consistently raised.”
Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr said:
“The NSW Minns Labor Government listened and delivered on making our community safer through consolidating operational responsibility of the NSW Rural Fire Service fleet and supporting our local councils.
“This reform is also an investment in regional jobs and industry across NSW and the Cessnock Electorate community.”
RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said:
“This is a landmark and momentous reform for the RFS and one of the most significant investments in our operational capability in recent years.
“Our firefighters rely on these vehicles every day in some of the most demanding and unpredictable conditions, and it is essential we equip them with a fleet that is safe, reliable and fit for purpose.
“This reform establishes, for the first time, a consistent and modern approach to fleet management across NSW. It strengthens safety, improves reliability and ensures our members are always ready to respond when communities need them most.