Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Interim Administrator Mr Viv May PSM has given the green-light for a new multi-purpose Emergency Operations Centre to be located within Council’s newly refurbished Civic Centre.
“The Black Summer bushfires highlighted the need for a modern emergency facility that is able to be effectively used by all of the Shire’s emergency agencies,” he said.
“With the Civic Centre refurbishments nearing completion we are provided with the perfect opportunity to incorporate it into the building’s final design.”
Representatives from NSW Police, NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW were amongst the agencies included in discussions to relocate the facility.
Mr May said locating a regional Emergency Operations Centre in a centralised position was imperative.
“The Moss Vale Civic Centre is located directly opposite the Shire’s Police Headquarters,” he said. “It already has access to existing IT and telecommunications facilities, meeting rooms and onsite amenities.”
“Having emergency services centrally located during a crisis with access to real-time information will enable them to make informed decisions in conjunction with their peers,” Mr May said.
A review of the Shire’s existing Emergency Operations sites including possible alternate sites and upgrading current emergency assets was a key recommendation from the independent review into Council’s response to the 2019/20 bushfires.
Council will meet with Resilience NSW to progress a priority application to the value of $300,000 to assist in the fit-out of the new Emergency Operations Centre.
“A modern purpose-built Emergency Operations Centre will enable all of our Shire’s combat agencies to better coordinate, communicate and respond to future emergencies,” My May added.
“I thank all of our Shire’s emergency services for their support to relocate the Shire’s Emergency Operations Centre.”
Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre is located at 68 Elizabeth Street in Moss Vale.
