A new NSW State Emergency Services (SES) facility and Emergency Operations Centre has been established in Goulburn, allowing emergency services to better protect communities in the region.
The new facilities are fit-for-purpose and follow an investment of more than $4 million from the Federal Government, New South Wales Government and Goulburn Mulwaree Council.
The new SES unit headquarters accommodates rescue vehicles and specialist equipment and has training space for volunteers.
Additional parking, increased storage, a communications room, change room facilities, rescue equipment and a sand bunker for sandbagging operations are also part of the new facility.
These modern amenities replace the Goulburn NSW SES unit’s former home inside a tin shed.
Also included on the site is a shared, state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Centre. This allows all emergency services to coordinate, communicate and respond to disasters under the one roof.
The Emergency Operations Centre was previously inside the local council chambers and was not fit-for-purpose.
The State Government contributed $2,150,000 to the build, while the Federal Government committed $1,495,000 to the project, and Goulburn Mulwaree Council allocated $725,500.
The facility is one of 18 SES units to be upgraded across the state, funded by a $58.7 million package from the New South Wales Government.
Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, said that the NSW SES plays a vital role in times of crisis, and they need the right facilities to do the job.
“This investment boosts the Goulburn unit of the NSW SES to respond to flooding and other emergencies,” Minns said.
“We are backing the NSW SES so our volunteers can better serve people across Goulburn and surrounds.”
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, said that this new facility has been purpose built and designed with operational experience gained during past natural disasters to support emergency service response.
“By delivering this new facility for our local SES volunteers they can continue to provide the highest level of service to the local community during times of need, as well as provide planning and coordination of emergency events during floods and storms,” Dib said.
NSW SES Commissioner, Mike Wassing, said that this new unit headquarters will ensure SES members have the facilities they require and will enable them to better support local communities when they need assistance.
“In the past year alone, the Goulburn Unit has responded to about 150 calls for assistance, including flood rescues, land searches, storm response and general land rescue incidents,” Wassing said.
Goulburn-Mulwaree Council Mayor, Nina Dillon, said that the council is proud to see the official opening of this vital new facility, which is a direct result of its ongoing commitment to the safety and future of the community.
“The new NSW State Emergency Service Unit and Emergency Operations Centre will serve as a hub of preparedness and support for our emergency services,” Mayor Dillon said.
“This milestone is a testament to the collaborative efforts between local, state, and federal levels of government, and it marks a major step in our shared vision of a more resilient and safer region for all.”
