Black Summer bushfire victims question lack of progress on Surf Beach emergency services precinct five years on

Victims of the Black Summer bushfires have vented their fury as the site earmarked for a crucial emergency hub sits vacant five years on, accusing authorities of complacency and warning pictures won’t save them from another inferno.

Victims of the Black Summer bushfires have vented their fury as the site earmarked for a crucial emergency hub sits vacant five years on, accusing authorities of complacency and warning artist’s impressions won’t save them from another inferno.

The Eurobodalla Council announced a new $3.9m Surf Beach emergency services precinct in 2020, mere months after the Black Summer blazes razed the former headquarters of the State Emergency Service’s Batemans Bay unit.

But five years on, the Tallgums Way site - which is set to house the local SES and Rural Fire Service command centres - remains a cleared patch of dirt.

Mogo resident and business owner Lorena Granados lost her leather repair store and home on December 31, 2019, when a fire storm devastated her small village south of Batemans Bay.

She said the delay in the project, funded by all levels of government and the two emergency services, demonstrated a dire level of “complacency”.

Lorena Granados lost her business and home in the 2019-20 Black Summer fires. Picture: Supplied

“It’s very concerning that there have been no interventions to prevent future bushfires,” she said.

“Important issues are being overlooked.”

The current state of the site in Surf Beach. Picture: Tom McGann

Ms Granados said the Surf Beach facility had to be built as a priority, noting another Black Summer was inevitable.

“An artist’s impression won’t save us in a natural disaster,” she said.

An artist’s impression of the new facility, which is yet to be built. Picture: Supplied

Ms Granados’ comments come as the nation deals with another fierce bushfire season, with firefighters battling recent blazes in Perth and the Grampians, in Victoria.

Andrew Constance, the former state Liberal member for Bega, fought to save his Malua Bay home during Black Summer said he was livid the new emergency facility had not built.

Former Bega MP Andrew Constance fought to save his Malua Bay home in the Black Summer fires. Pictures: Tom McGann, Supplied

“It’s appalling and unacceptable,” he said.

“The stakeholders constructing this project aren’t short of funding.

“It’s unacceptable that, five years on, it still hasn’t been built.”

Mr Constance, who will contest the seat of Gilmore at the next federal election, said the fires were traumatic for him and every Eurobodalla resident.

“There are concerns among the community and myself that another Black Summer is on the way,” he said.

“This centre needs to be built before then. The community needs to know that there is something there to help them when another major event occurs.”

The $3.9m facility was announced five years ago. Picture: Tom McGann

Despite the concerns, the Eurobodalla Council and Rural Fire Service were adamant the project was going ahead.

“Eurobodalla Council has drafted an agreement covering the provision of funds for the SES building,” a council spokesman said.

“This agreement is being negotiated.”

Meanwhile, an RFS spokesman said the organisation expected the facility to be operational in time for the 2027 fire season.

The State Emergency Service shared a similar sentiment, stating it was continuing to work with all project stakeholders.

“It is anticipated the project will go to tender in the first half of 2025,” an SES spokesman said.

“Once complete, the new facility will provide a significant boost to the local community in responding to emergency events.”

Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib was contacted for comment.

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Originally published as Black Summer bushfire victims question lack of progress on Surf Beach emergency services precinct five years on