The Green Triangle’s fire observation towers are set to be upgraded, including a new tower near Penola, delivering on a key State Government election commitment to update fire towers with new technologies.
Upgrade works totalling over $2m are set to begin shortly and will be completed in time for next season’s bushfire season, which starts in November.
The funding ensures ongoing protection of the Green Triangle’s forestry assets and communities as the transition to new fire detection technologies continues.
With work on the Penola North tower due to commence soon, the project will also provide a landscape level fire detection program, while ensuring existing fire towers remain operational during the transition to new systems.
The seven towers that are set to be upgraded are Penola North, Mount Burr, Mount Edward, Furner, The Bluff, Comaum and Mount Benson.
The funding includes $1m to the Green Triangle Fire Alliance (GTFA), comprising of all major forest plantation growers in the region, to implement new technologies aimed at improving the ability to detect dangerous fires early.
Technology trials, including satellite detection and remote operated cameras, have occurred at The Bluff, Penola North and Mount Burr, with GTFA now in the process of selecting a contractor for new automated detection systems.
A full camera-based fire detection system across the lower South East of the state is expected to be installed in time for the 2023-24 fire season.
Forests Minister Clare Scriven said the Green Triangle plantation forest region was one of the powerhouses of the Australian forest and forest products industry.
“The South Australian portion of the region contributes more than $860m to South Australia’s gross state product annually, making it one of the state’s most productive sectors,” she said.
“It is essential that we support industry’s efforts to protect the region’s 130,000 hectares of plantation estate and by extension others in the landscape including primary producers and most importantly those who live in the region.
“Collaborating with the local forest industry through the Green Triangle Fire Alliance, provides a win-win situation in transitioning from a manual tower operation to innovative technology.”
Green Triangle Fire Alliance chair Mick Theobald said it was is a significant amount of funding that reflected the mutual importance that government and industry placed upon fire detection.
“This investment will ensure fire management is strengthened in the South East; protecting communities, plantations, the environment and regional jobs,” he said.
“Forest growers, including OneFortyOne and other members of the Green Triangle Fire Alliance work hard to ensure we have the best possible fire detection systems in place.
“Fire does not recognise boundaries, so it is critical the whole community, not just the forest industry, collaborates in fire protection.
“For us, working closely with the State Government on maximising our fire defences is an important part of that.”
South Australian Forest Products Association chief executive Nathan Paine said the Bureau of Meteorology had officially declared the end of La Nina, yet remained alert and on watch as there is a 50% chance that El Nino conditions could develop later this year, leaving authorities concerned of an increased fire risk due to grass and vegetation growth.
“The government’s investment, in conjunction with forest growers, in landscape level fire detection technologies will be critical in protecting the forest estate in the South East,” he said.
