Work progresses on new home for Redland Bay SES Group
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Redland Bay SES Group is one step closer to having a new operations centre with work progressing on the fit-out of a building at Redlands Business Park.
Redland City Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group chair Karen Williams said the new premises, which were purchased by Council last year, would meet the ongoing and future needs of the Redland City SES Unit and increase its capacity to service the expanding Redlands Coast community.
“Our local SES crews have a reputation as being among the best across the state and this facility will allow them to support the southern part of our city,” she said.
“This new facility will also provide additional support to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands and can be used as a staging area for incoming crews if required.”
Front from left: SES Local Controller Clare Barker, Member for Redlands Kim Richards, Mayor Karen Williams, Cr Julie Talty, Cr Mark Edwards. Middle row from left: Project manager Alex McGregor, Redland Bay SES Group Leader Daniel Tuckwood, Council’s Disaster Planning and Operations Manager Michael Tait, Cr Lance Hewlett. Back from left: Site supervisor Peter Huston, SES Regional Manager Mark Dole.
Cr Williams said the new building would also add to the Redlands Bay SES Group’s incident management and operations capability and add an extra Incident Control Room – both of which are currently run from the Cleveland SES Group’s base.
“All mainland groups are currently tasked out of Cleveland for a Unit response, adding a 40 to 50 minute turnaround time for crews working in the southern end of the city during operations and to attend training.
“This facility will reduce that response time, giving the community confidence that help is on hand when it’s needed.”
Division 6 Councillor Julie Talty said the new premises on Jardine Drive would be substantially larger than the Group’s current shed at Weinam Creek.
“The new facility is large enough to house all the SES vehicles, boats, trailers and equipment,” Cr Talty said.
“It will also include areas to wash down vehicles, to do basic equipment maintenance, and a lockable storage area for portable items such as chainsaws, generators, ropes and harnesses.
“It will also provide a reception area, an office area that can be used as an incident control room, a training room, staging area, kitchen, toilets and showers, a storeroom, a communications room and parking onsite.
“The Redland Bay SES Group is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone on Redlands Coast and the volunteers are excited about the opportunities for providing an even more cohesive service from their new base.”
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has provided a grant of $75,000 towards the fit-out of the building, and Redland Emergency Service Volunteer Association has committed $40,000 towards the fit-out, furniture and fittings.
State Member for Redlands Kim Richards said, “Our Redland SES Groups are highly awarded and home to some of our finest frontline personnel, so it is only fitting that they have a home that reflects this.
“It was fantastic that the Queensland Government was able to support Redland City Council in delivering the new facility with $75,000 in QFES SES Support Grant funding to assist with the fit-out.”
The fit-out of the Redland Bay building is expected to be completed by early April 2021, weather permitting.