Now that the NSW Government has declared a State of Emergency, and formally asked for defence assistance, the Australian Military can formally deploy to assist, before now various military bases could assist in local area, but wern't able to deploy as a united force.

I believe reserve units are being recalled to active service to assist.
In Sydney are sending large numbers of their trained firefighters and the army, airforce and the Navy can use Military Helecopters to assist in firefighting, (during the 1994 bushfires a Navy Safety Equipment specialist designed the first water bucket for use by Helecopters).

About time.