It’s taken five years since the Black Summer Bushfires but construction of the new $25 million Eurobodalla Emergency Services Precinct has officially begun, with a sod-turning ceremony held in Moruya on Tuesday (January 21).
The state-of-the-art facility on the Princes Highway not far from Moruya TAFE, will include a new Rural Fire Service (RFS) Fire Control Centre and Emergency Operations Centre, designed to improve coordination and response times during emergencies. It is a key recommendation from the NSW Bushfire Inquiry and a significant investment in the safety and resilience of the South Coast community.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers, Member for Bega, Michael Holland, and Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips attended the event, emphasising the importance of the project for a region heavily impacted by recent bushfires, including the Black Summer fires and the 2023 Coolagolite fires.
Gilmore MP, Fiona Phillips, highlighted her role in securing $5 million in federal funding for the precinct, saying, “The Eurobodalla needed its own Emergency Services Precinct, and I’m proud to have fought for this investment to protect our community.”
The precinct will bring together multiple emergency service agencies, including the NSW Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, and Marine Rescue NSW. Up to 70 RFS personnel will work from the site, which will also house the Moruya Rural Fire Brigade station.
Construction is expected to be completed by 2027, with the new facility to replace the existing Moruya Fire Control Centre.
Dr. Michael Holland, Member for Bega, described the project as a “reassurance to the community” after recent devastating fires, while RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers praised Eurobodalla Shire Council for its efforts in securing the location.
The project represents a collaboration between the NSW and Australian governments, with $20 million contributed by the state and $5 million from the federal government.
Images: Fiona Phillips