Delegates attended the Eurobodalla when the NSW Government announced $15 million for a new hub at Moruya in January. Photo: NSW RFS Facebook.
The announcement of millions of dollars in funding for a fire control centre (FCC) in Moruya has caused concern in the Bega Valley, particularly in the wake of the Black Summer bushfires that saw communications breakdowns impact firefighting capabilities when the disastrous flames hit the region.
However, the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has reassured the community the investment will not result in any reduction of services in the Bega Valley.
In January, the NSW Government announced it would invest $15 million into an emergency operations centre (EOC) and FCC at Moruya.
Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers said the town’s existing centre was long past its use-by date.
“The development of a new centre answers one of the vital priorities identified in the NSW Bushfire Inquiry,” he said.
After the announcement, Bega Valley Shire Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said council understood the need to invest in the Eurobodalla, but was “perplexed” as to why the funding was attached to a new FCC in Moruya.
The Bega Valley has a dedicated, functioning control centre, he said, and for the past two years council had been working with the RFS to secure land adjacent to the Bega Saleyards and the Princes Highway for a new centre.
There is a site and a tenure deed sitting with the RFS, he said.
“A fire control centre in Moruya may mean a shift of resources out of the Bega Valley and into Eurobodalla,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.
“During the Black Summer bushfires, we experienced communication breakdowns and other disconnections when the RFS tried to manage the Bega Valley fires remotely from Eurobodalla. It was not a success.”
In response to questions, a NSW RFS spokesperson said the announcement of a new FFC and EOC in Moruya would “not mean any reduction of services in the Bega Valley Shire”.
“The RFS is also committed to working with Bega Valley Shire Council to relocate the Jellat Brigade,” the spokesperson said.
“It is envisaged that a three-bay station and associated support facilities for the brigade will be integrated with fire control facilities similar to what currently exist in Bega, including operational, training and staff support facilities.
“This will provide for flexibility during operations, local interaction during major incidents and provide ongoing engagement with members and the community.”
They said the RFS Far South Coast team would continue to work across both the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley Shires supporting the community and local brigades.
Mr Fitzpatrick also called on the NSW Government and all candidates in the upcoming byelection to commit to retaining existing levels of RFS staff and investing in the expansion of a proven fire control centre in the Bega Valley.
“It is important any investment in Eurobodalla is not to the detriment of the vital emergency services within the Bega Valley,” he said.
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