Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick said Council will be seeking answers from the NSW Government following the announcement of funding for an Emergency Operations Centre and Fire Control Centre for Moruya.
"We understand the need to invest in Eurobodalla Shire, however we are perplexed as to why it is attached to a new fire control centre," Cr Fitzpatrick said.
"Bega Valley Shire has a dedicated, functioning Fire Control Centre and for the past two years, we have been working with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) on securing land adjacent to the Bega Saleyards and the Princes Highway for a new Fire Control Centre.
"We have a site and we have a tenure deed sitting with the RFS."
Cr Fitzpatrick said Council has serious concerns about what this announcement means for our shire.
"A Fire Control Centre in Moruya may mean a shift of resources out of the Bega Valley and into Eurobodalla," he 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.
"We call on the NSW Government and all candidates in the upcoming by-election 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."
