New equipment supports SES through western floods

State Emergency Service units at Bourke and Brewarrina have had their capability boosted with new equipment from the NSW government.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Paul Toole, handed over a $38,000 Light Storm Trailer to the Bourke Unit on Friday, and the Brewarrina Unit benefits from a $90,000 General Purpose Vehicle.

The Bourke SES Storm Trailer is designed and equipped to deliver effective response capabilities and includes solar panels, lithium batteries, and portable generators.

“The new trailer and vehicle form part of the NSW Government’s $116 million Fleet Replacement Program, which benefits communities in rural and remote parts of our state,” Mr Toole said.

“I want to say to the SES, thank you for what you have done, we have seen many floods and storms over the past 12 months, and it looks like we will be again in for a tough time going into the end of the year.

“It is the men and women who are members of the SES who stand up and support our communities in times of crisis, and when these flooding events take place, it is the SES who are there at all hours of the day and night, seven days a week, to support our communities.

“So, thank you, and hopefully, with this new trailer, the NSW Government will support you.”

Minister for Western NSW, Dugald Saunders, said the trailer as a piece of infrastructure is significantly important for all volunteers.

“Some of the older trailers were getting a bit beyond use,” Mr Saunders said, “and these new trailers are well built and standardised across all units, which means that volunteers can go anywhere in the state and know what is in the trailer and what it is capable of.

“So, going into another season that promises more storms and disruptions, this trailer will be indispensable in meeting the challenge.”

SES Commissioner Carlene York said that the trailer would go a long way in helping the local SES units and she thanked all the volunteers for their work over the past year.

“It is exciting to be able to present the Light Storm Trailer to the Bourke Unit with the Ministers today.

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