The NSW Opposition has criticised the state government for failing to allocate any additional firefighters or state-of-the-art tankers to the Blue Mountains ahead of the summer bushfire season.
Late last month the government said an additional 40 firefighters would join Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) across the Sydney metropolitan region, and five new tankers would be stationed at Miranda, Lane Cove, Kellyville, Narellan and Cranebrook.
None of these extra resources are coming to the Blue Mountains.
"The Baird Liberal government has completely forgotten about the Blue Mountains - depriving the region of vital firefighting resources as we head deeper into the summer bushfire season," said NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson, speaking from Springwood fire station.
"First the Liberals have been under-resourcing fire stations and forcing them to close - now they won't even provide a single new tanker or firefighter to a region that is frequently on the frontline of bushfires."
Labor Candidate for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle said lives and property are put at risk when local fire stations are not given the resources they need to respond to fire outbreaks.
"Why the Blue Mountains is not at the top of the list for more firefighting resources is just staggering - we are surrounded by bushland and are frequently on the frontlines of fighting fires, surely this is where resources should be allocated," she said.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Stuart Ayres said: "The additional tankers and firefighters announced by the Baird government have been allocated to strategic locations to maximise coverage across Sydney."
Blue Mountains MP Roza Sage said: "It is fantastic that Labor leader John Robertson and his candidate for the Blue Mountains made the effort to explore the $2 million upgrade of Springwood fire station.
"It was with great pride that I delivered this vital Blue Mountains fire-fighting resource just 12 months ago. The station is now manned by permanent firefighters 24 hours a day, seven days a week - ably supported by the dedicated on-call retained firefighters who continue to protect the community with distinction."