Artist’s impression of the new Surf Beach Emergency Services Precinct. Photo: RFS.
More than five years after the Black Summer bushfires, construction has finally begun on a new emergency services precinct at Surf Beach.
It will be the headquarters for the Batemans Bay State Emergency Service (SES) whose previous base south of the town was destroyed by the 2019/20 bushfires. It will share the premises with the Surf Beach Rural Fire Brigade.
Work originally began in August 2022 with clearing and earthworks, and was expected to cost $3.9 million.
The facility is being built on land owned by Eurobodalla Shire Council next to the ambulance station at Surf Beach.
The location at 311 George Base Drive enables a rapid response to the northern end of Eurobodalla.
Councils are required to provide land for emergency services. Councils must also build and maintain facilities for the SES, plus maintain RFS facilities, the construction of which is often funded by the State Government.
The project has been funded by the SES and NSW RFS, with contributions from the council.
It will have the latest communications capabilities and has been designed to provide safe storage for vehicles and equipment, plus spaces for emergency response training and community awareness programs.
The headquarters of the NSW SES Batemans Bay Unit were destroyed in the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires. Photo: Mike Day.
Work has been protracted.
In January 2023 a council spokesperson said the bulk of the earthworks was done but more was needed to prepare for the slab stage.
At that time the Surf Beach Brigade Captain Ashley Blackman said it was his understanding the building phase would start in March 2023 and would be finished towards the end of that year.
In April 2024 the council noted “a lack of progress” on the Surf Beach Brigade Station, as well as the new Moruya Emergency Services Precinct.
The Surf Beach site was still empty almost two years after construction was scheduled to begin.
In April 2024 a council spokesperson said preparation for construction finished in July 2023.
“Although the RFS was to confirm its plan for the site by the end of 2023, we did not receive their letter of intention until 3 March 2024.
“We are now reviewing that document to ensure sufficient funding and clarity of direction to deliver the precinct,” the council spokesperson said.
An RFS spokesperson said they expected to receive final confirmation of the council’s joint financial contribution with the RFS and NSW SES which would enable design work to start, followed by the construction of the Surf Beach station.
“Once that commitment has been received from council, we anticipate the station can be operational during the 2025/26 financial year,” the RFS spokesperson said.
The site of the new emergency services headquarters at Surf Beach in January 2023. Photo: Kim Treasure.
On 3 June a council spokesperson said that by the end of March the council had spent just under $850,000 on site preparation for the project.
“The SES and RFS assumed responsibility for the final design and building the facilities at the precinct and have engaged NSW Public Works to manage delivery of the facilities.
“The $5.6 million project will be managed by Public Works under an agreement between council and the NSW Government,” the council spokesperson said.
On 6 June a spokesperson on behalf of the NSW RFS and NSW SES said the design for the new emergency services precinct at Surf Beach were finalised.
“After recent setbacks due to ongoing wet weather, construction works commenced late last month.
“Subject to weather conditions, the project is scheduled for completion in early 2026, at which point the RFS and SES will be able to move into their new base.”
