By Matthew Pearce
Rockhampton Regional Council has stepped up to support local State Emergency Service crews with $37,000 to purchase much-needed equipment.
The funding, through the State Government’s 2023-24 State SES Support Grant Program, will be used to purchase a Storm Response Vehicle for Gracemere and a generator cover.
Local SES controller Eddie Cowie said the four-wheel-drive vehicle would tailored specifically to SES needs, which include towing, storm damage actions, ladder actions and pole saws.
“This requires equipment that you generally couldn’t carry on a normal vehicle, so the vehicles need to be specifically developed and purchased for the SES,” he said.
“Primarily the SES is called upon for storm damage response, however our functions become quite broad, including everything from land searches to traffic control.
“Our vehicles are there for every part of what we do, from training to operational response, to community education, so it’s important that they are maintained and operational all the time.”
Mr Cowie said the support of the state and local governments was vital to the service.
“A lot of people don’t realise that the majority of our resources are owned by local government, purchased by local government and maintained by local government, so it’s imperative that we have that partnership,” he said.
He said the SES needed to replace vehicles every year, with none of their four-wheel-drives older than five or six years old.
Some trucks, which are used as operational vehicles, can be in use for more than 10 years.
Some local vehicles have travelled as far as NSW and northern Queensland when resources are needed.
Mayor Tony Williams said the Rockhampton Region was no stranger to floods, bushfires, cyclones and natural disasters.
“It’s important to have the right assets that can assist the volunteers in those times and it’s great to see the State Government support both Rockhampton and the SES group locally with this funding announcement,” he said.
Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said the region’s local SES volunteers had a proud history of helping, protecting and educating communities.
“It’s vital that they have the tools that they need to be able to provide the outstanding service that they provide to our community,” he said.
“I would always encourage people in the community to volunteer if they’re in a position to assist the SES.”