FUNDING for maintaining and managing the fire risk in Tasmania's national parks and reserves is inadequate, a Legislative Council committee is expected to conclude today.
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The final report of the committee investigating the operation of the state's Parks and Wildlife Service, to be tabled today, is expected to find the department is under resourced.
The committee also considered the impact of up to half a million hectares of new forest reserves being created if industry and environment groups are able to secure an agreement.
The report is expected to find that the $7 million a year promised by the Commonwealth for the maintenance of any new reserves would be insufficient and recommends a full assessment of the true cost be carried out before any more land is locked up.
The impact of the forestry downturn and planned restructure of Forestry Tasmania on firefighting duties was also investigated by the committee.
In September, Tasmania Fire Service deputy chief officer Andrew O'Connor gave evidence and expressed concern that a major change could damage the relationship between TasFire, PWS and Forestry Tasmania, which work together to manage the fire risk and fight any blazes. Mr O'Connor warned any loss of capacity may force the state to buy help from mainland states.
