Major win for councils as state takes ownership of RFS fleet

RURAL and regional councils across New South Wales will no longer bear the cost and administrative burden of maintaining local RFS trucks, after the state government agreed to take ownership of the assets commonly known as the “Red Fleet”.

Ownership of more than 6,000 Rural Fire Service vehicles will transfer from councils to the NSW government from July 1, 2027, under a $470 million overhaul of the state’s firefighting fleet management system.

The reform will, for the first time since the RFS was established nearly 30 years ago, place operational responsibility and ownership of the Red Fleet under the same authority, ending a long-running source of frustration for councils across the state.

As part of the package, the Government will invest $29 million over two years to establish eight regional RFS maintenance hubs and service providers, along with a further $106 million over four years for critical repairs and fleet upgrades.

RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin described the investment as a landmark reform.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

The state government will be handed the keys to more than 6,000 RFS vehicles from July 2027 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

The ownership of RFS vehicles has long been a contentious issue between local government and the state, with councils legally required to account for, depreciate and report assets over which they have little or no operational control.

Under existing legislative arrangements, councils have carried the vehicles on their balance sheets despite the fleet being operated and managed by the RFS.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said councils had consistently argued the arrangement no longer reflected reality.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

The announcement has been welcomed by local government leaders, who say it will ease financial pressure on councils already grappling with rising costs and limited revenue streams.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Temora Mayor and Country Mayors Association of NSW chairman Rick Firman said the decision was a significant victory for regional communities.

“The Country Mayors Association NSW Board and our 89 rural, remote and regional council members welcome the Government’s decision,” Cr Firman said.

“We have worked hard with the Government to remove the RFS assets from our books to reflect the current reality that these assets are operated by the RFS, not councils.

“This decision will go some way to assisting with our critical issue of financial sustainability.”

Coolamon Shire Mayor David McCann also welcomed the reform.

“This may not be headline-grabbing news, but it’s a welcome boost for Council’s budget and the result of long-term advocacy by Coolamon Shire Council, the Country Mayors Association of NSW and Local Government NSW,” he said.

© The Junee Bulletin

Under the new model, the Government says fleet management will be standardised across the state, improving reliability, maintenance scheduling and vehicle lifecycle management while better reflecting the way the service already operates.

Councils will be consulted throughout the next 12 months to support the transition and identify opportunities to assist with future maintenance arrangements.

Local Government NSW President Darcy Byrne said councils would welcome relief from a longstanding administrative burden.

“Having the Red Fleet off the balance sheets of local councils is a big win for local government,” Cr Byrne said.

“We look forward to working with the Government to ensure a successful transition over the next 12 months.”