The City of Gold Coast has reinforced its commitment to supporting local emergency response efforts with the addition of three fully equipped vehicles to the Gold Coast State Emergency Service (SES) Unit.
The vehicles, co-funded by the City of Gold Coast and grant funding provided through the SES Support Grant Program, are already operational and fully fitted out to support frontline emergency response activities across the city.
Mayor Tom Tate said the investment recognised the extraordinary contribution SES volunteers make to keeping the community safe.
"Our SES volunteers are true heroes who step up when our community needs them most, whether it's during severe storms, floods, search and rescue operations or other emergencies," Mayor Tate said.
"These vehicles will help ensure our volunteers have the tools they need to respond quickly and effectively when disaster strikes.
"The City acknowledges the Queensland Government contribution through the SES Support Grant program, complementing the City's renewed investment in local SES capability which supports the invaluable work they do for the Gold Coast community."
The vehicles being handed over are a:
- General Purpose Vehicle (Ford Ranger) for the Pimpama Group
- General Purpose Vehicle (Ford Ranger) for the Runaway Bay Group
- Personnel Carrier Vehicle (Ford Transit) for the Gold Coast Unit.
The handover comes at a particularly proud time for the Gold Coast SES Unit, which recently brought home national honours after winning the 2026 National Disaster Rescue Challenge.
Representing Queensland, the Gold Coast team competed against emergency service teams from across Australia in a series of realistic disaster scenarios designed to test rescue, emergency response and teamwork capabilities.
The team earned the right to represent Queensland after winning the State Disaster Rescue Challenge and went on to secure the national title at the biennial competition held this year on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland.
Adding to the achievement, Gold Coast SES member Levi Healey received the Leader Award for the challenge, while the team was also recognised as the Best First Aid Team.
Mayor Tate said the national success highlighted the professionalism and dedication of local volunteers.
"To be crowned national champions is an incredible achievement and a testament to the skill, commitment and teamwork of our Gold Coast SES volunteers," he said.
"The entire city is proud of what they have accomplished, and these new vehicles will help ensure they can continue delivering outstanding service to our community."
The City of Gold Coast is also undertaking a significant uplift of fleet assets for the Gold Coast SES Unit, with an additional $175,000 allocated to provide enhanced fit-for-purpose vehicles.
As part of this investment, two new General Purpose Utility vehicles, based on a Ford Super Duty chassis and a design proven and tested by emergency services interstate, are currently in production and scheduled for delivery in March 2027.
