Ballina Shire Council votes on new SES Clark St headquarters

Debate grew over the proposed SES headquarters relocation, just weeks after the devastating floods, with one councillor stating volunteers had been “screaming out for help” for years.

Ballina’s proposed new SES headquarters have been labelled a “golden opportunity” to learn from the recent and devastating floods crisis.

The relocation of the emergency service was brought before Ballina Shire Council’s finance and facilities committee meeting where all bar one councillor voted to endorse a proposed Clark St move.

The new SES headquarters council proposal presented the feasibility of two sites either at the Clark St Reserve, adjacent to the existing SES site, or Endeavour Close.

Preliminary designs for Clark St were estimated to cost between $3-3.5 million where estimates for the Endeavour Close were around $3.35 million or more due to a complicated building shape and the need for demolition of existing buildings.

Ballina SES Unit Commander Gerry Burnage speaking at a press conference during the March 4 floods Photo: Danielle Smith

Council heard from both Ballina SES Unit Commander Gerry Burnage and Richmond Police District Inspector Bill McKenna in favour of the Clark St site.

Mr Burnage said during the recent floods the Clark St site was unaffected.

He also recommended the site for the purposes of building an emergency operations centre that would operate even when Wi-Fi and power went down such as what occurred during the March flooding catastrophe.

“We ran 14 agencies out of the SES shed without any facilities at all,” he said.

Det Insp McKenna said it was a “golden opportunity” for the purpose-built facility.

However, not everyone supported the move.

Councillor Phil Meehan questioned why the old depot site on Tamarind Dr or Alstonville couldn’t be a viable alternative.

He said he was worried in Ballina, a region “bereft” of open spaces, the facility could use up a valuable space.

“The issue is not about the worth of any organisation, it’s about the site,” he said.
“Themajor reason I don’t support … is the impact it will have upon one of the few tree reserves we have.

“(They have) an intrinsic value of their own right now and great value as Ballina changes and develops.”

Cr Meehan was also worried proposed sites “still within the flood prone area of Ballina” could pose a major risk in the future, especially given rising sea levels.

“Is this option in this site actually planning for 20,30,40 years in the future?” he asked.

“In 40 years’ time will it be seen as a good concept?”

The current Ballina SES unit's headquarters.

While Councillor Kiri Dicker agreed with Cr Meehan’s point of conservation she said the Clark St reserve was an exception and was mostly used as a thoroughfare.

“This particular reserve isn’t one I use personally,” she said.

“People are certainly not sitting around and having BBQs and picnics.”

Cr Eoin Johnston added the road to Alstonville was flooded for about 10 days as he urged the plans ahead for “desperate” volunteers.

He said the organisation had been “screaming out for help” since his early days in council.

Local SES members were invaluable in the recent floods, seen here at West Ballina doorknocking residents on Monday March 30, 2022. Picture: Tessa Flemming.

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader agreed, stating she would work to “keep hammering” the state government for funding to get the project started.

She added the Endeavour Close site had also been cut off at Tamarind Dr during the floods.

Likewise, Councillor Stephen Mccarthy supported Clark St option citing it as the cheapest, easiest option and preferred by SES.

With the Clark St site voted in, council will now seek to write again to NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet for and Minister for Emergency Services Steph Cook signalling the urgent need for funding assistance.

Council’s General Manager will also prepare a draft design.