The new $3.3 million dollar facility will be in addition to the current building on Valley Road, Katoomba, and be integrated with the Blue Mountains Emergency Management Precinct to enhance multiagency readiness and response.
This new two-storey facility will include a three-bay garage to house advanced NSW SES vehicles and equipment, a purpose-built operations and training room and dedicated infrastructure to support Bush Search and Rescue (BSAR) capability.
The project is jointly funded by a $1 million investment from the NSW Government, $1.1 million through the Australian Government's Protecting our Communities (Disaster Resilience) Program and a $1.2 million bequest from late Blue Mountains resident Verna Arthur. Construction on the new NSW SES facility is expected to be completed in 2027.
The announcement comes after a busy year for NSW SES Blue Mountains members having responded to more than 760 calls for assistance, including 18 search and rescue operations.
To further strengthen land search capability and reach harder-to-access terrain faster, the Blue Mountains members are taking part in an NSW SES e-bike trial.
The 12-month trial will focus on how e-bikes can support NSW Police, the lead agency for land searches, particularly in environments where traditional vehicles can't go.
Four e-bikes are already being put through their paces by NSW SES Blue Mountains members and have been deployed on recent land searches across Greater Sydney. Another pod of e-bikes is also being trialled at the NSW SES Kiama Unit.
The e-bike trial is part of a broader push by NSW SES to test emerging technologies that improve safety and operational response, with results informing how e-bikes could be used by SES crews in future operations.
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib:
"We're proud to support NSW SES volunteers in the Blue Mountains and invest in the safety and resilience of the community.
"This new facility will allow the SES volunteers to continue to respond quickly and effectively, while also enhancing interoperability between emergency services in the Blue Mountains.
"I'm also pleased to see the NSW SES trial technologies to improve efficiency and effectiveness. This trial is an example of how the emergency services are using new technologies to boost response efforts and I look forward to seeing the results."
Quotes attributable to NSW Member for Blue Mountains, Ms Trish Doyle MP:
"SES volunteers consistently show up to support the Blue Mountains community when it matters most.
"This new facility is about backing our volunteers with the resources they need to continue their vital work to keep the community safe."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Macquarie, Ms Susan Templeman MP:
"I was proud to secure $1.1 million in federal funding for this new Blue Mountains SES facility at the 2022 Federal election to boost our resilience.
"Our NSW SES Blue Mountains volunteers respond to hundreds of incidents, protecting homes, businesses and lives.
"This investment recognises their dedication, giving volunteers the purpose-built facility they deserve so they can continue protecting our community into the future."
Quotes attributable to NSW SES Commissioner, Mike Wassing AFSM:
"This new Unit headquarters will give our members in the Blue Mountains a safe, modern and functional base so they can continue to serve the community.
"Volunteers in the Blue Mountains respond to hundreds of storm-related incidents, while supporting police with vertical rescues and searches. Our specialist Bush Search and Rescue volunteers also use this building as a base when searching for missing people in the region.
"This new facility will allow the team to train, maintain equipment and respond to incidents more effectively."
Quotes attributable to NSW SES Blue Mountains Local Commander and e-bike rider, John Hughes:
"These e-bikes could significantly enhance our land search capabilities, helping crews move faster, cover more ground and reach places other vehicles can't.
"This trial is all about working more efficiently and effectively to back up NSW Police when it matters most."
Quotes attributable to Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill:
"The Blue Mountains is one of the most natural disaster-prone areas in Australia and emergency preparedness is critical to life here.
"The exceptional skill, experience and leadership of our heroic SES volunteers has protected us during many crises. We are all very grateful for your unwavering dedication to community safety."
