Batemans Bay RFS and SES base one step closer amid continued emergencies
When fierce firestorms tore through the South Coast town of Batemans Bay, it not only destroyed homes but crippled the region’s emergency response with the destruction of the town’s SES base. Soon, that facility will be back up and running.
The South Coast News
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More than two years after the Batemans Bay headquarters of the State Emergency Service was destroyed in the Black Summer fires, work is set to get underway on a new co-located emergency facility, as the region continues to face floods, fires and other emergencies.
The $3.9 million NSW SES Batemans Bay base is slated to be built at Surf Beach – south of Batemans Bay – opposite the existing NSW Ambulance Station based at the popular swim spot, and it will also incorporate the new Surf Beach Rural Fire Brigade.
Promising to provide safe storage for vehicles and equipment, as well as space for emergency response training and community awareness, the facility represents a stark shift in fortunes for volunteers who up until now have operated out of temporary facilities.
“Our volunteers have played a crucial role during multiple floods and storms events,” NSW SES Eurobodalla local commander Mike Day said.
“This new facility will provide a fit-for-purpose, modern facility for our training and emergency response.”
NSW SES deputy commissioner of corporate services Damien Johnston believes the site will better fit the needs of locals.
“The new headquarters will ensure our assets and resources are safe and ready to support the community of Batemans Bay,” he said.
“The modern design incorporates input from local volunteers to ensure the facility meets the needs of the Eurobodalla community.”
Construction of the new base comes after a difficult two years for the Shire following the Black Summer fires.
In 2020-21, nearby Mogo was devastated by floods.
Then, in 2022, Surf Life Saving crews were scrambled from nearby Malua Bay, which houses the Batemans Bay area’s only Surf Life Saving base, to rescue a large group of people caught in a rip at Surf Beach. One woman involved in the incident later died.
The co-located base is also not the first of its kind for the region.
Earlier this year, both the State Government and then-Federal opposition announced plans to invest in a new co-located facility for Moruya, which would incorporate RFS, SES, NSW Ambulance, and NSW Police responses.
Planning continues for that facility, with Public Works Advisory engaged to identify appropriate land, according to Eurobodalla Shire Council.
The council’s director of infrastructure and local emergency management officer Warren Sharpe said that councils were required to provide land for emergency services.
“Co-locating emergency services where possible makes sense in terms of sharing facilities and ensuring rapid, co-ordinated responses,” he said.
“This land in Surf Beach was always the right place for a combined facility and the council is very pleased to be able to make it available.”
Funding for the project comes from the NSW SES and RFS, with contributions from Eurobodalla Council.
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