Construction of the New South Wales State Emergency Services (NSWSES) headquarters has commenced in Moree.
NSWSES staff and volunteers have waited close to six years for the new building project to get underway, creating a permanent headquarters in the process, so it was all smiles as local tradies started work last week.
Moree Unit Commander Vivianne Fouracre said it was an exciting development to watch the slab go down, the structure emerging from the ground and even walls going on the new building.
“We have waited a long time to have a headquarters we can call our own, and it will be good for the local community. To have something up and new again will really give us a presence in town and tells Moree we are here to serve them during floods and storms.
“For our current members, this will really give them a lift too and having a new headquarters will also hopefully entice some new volunteers to the unit to help us help the Moree community,” Vivianne added.
Mayor of Moree Plains Shire Council, Katrina Humphries shares enthusiasm in providing the SES with a permanent home.
“Our community understands and appreciates the hard work of our local SES staff and volunteers, they have supported us throughout devastating moments created by natural disasters like floods, fires and damaging storms.
“We could not be more exciting to support the construction of the new purpose built administration building fitted with the facilities required to store vehicles and equipment on site, enabling them to respond faster to emergencies in our community.”
The new headquarters was jointly funded by the SES and Council and will compliment an adjacent shed on the premises in Maude Street which houses the SES unit’s vehicles and equipment.
The new Moree SES headquarters is expected to be finished towards the end of 2020 under the watchful eye of Moree Plains Shire Council and its project management team.
“We can’t wait to get in,” Vivianne noted.
“It represents a fresh start for the unit in Moree and will be a great springboard to continue to serve the community during times of emergency,” she concluded.
Photograph: Moree Plains Shire Council LEMO Renee McMillan, More Unit Commander Vivianne Fouracre, Project Managers Graham MacPherson and Emily Gall inspect the plans for the new unit headquarters in Moree.