Helping those that help our community - supporting the volunteers

The NSW Government is delivering hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of new equipment and facility upgrades for rescue and emergency crews across the region, to help support their essential work.

Liberal candidate for Bega, Dr Fiona Kotvojs, welcomed the Government’s $2 million investment in local Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades and Marine Rescue and State Emergency Service (SES) units, ensuring that they are better equipped to face emergencies.

“After a decade as an RFS volunteer, I know that having good equipment and facilities makes all the difference in the world,” said Dr Kotvojs. “After having to respond to the floods, bushfires and numerous other emergencies our community has gone through, it’s great to see this level of support for our volunteers from the NSW Government.”

The State Emergency Service’s Moruya Unit is receiving a new General-Purpose Vehicle and a specially-equipped Light Storm Trailer worth $157,000. 

The Marine Rescue NSW Batemans Bay Unit has had a $529,000 facilities upgrade. For the first time, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers with a disability will also be able to access the meeting and operational areas of their headquarters, thanks to the installation of a lift.

Eight new appliances have also been handed over to Rural Fire Service volunteers on the Far South Coast. Members of the Tuross Head, Deua River, Moruya, Batemans Bay, Long Beach, Bodalla and Narooma Brigades will benefit from a large-scale tanker and six smaller appliances, as well as a Senior Field Commander vehicle based at the Moruya Fire Control Centre.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the resources and facilities are an investment in the safety of local volunteers and the communities they serve.

“Communities up and down the South Coast have faced some of the worst fires, floods, storms and other emergencies this State has ever seen,” Ms Cooke said.

“We rely on our wonderful volunteers to protect us and that’s why the NSW Government is dedicated to providing our emergency services with safe, reliable and modern resources and facilities.”