Federal and NSW Labor will commit $25 million to an Emergency Operations Precinct in Moruya, including a much needed Emergency Operations Centre.
In a region stretching from Batemans Bay to the Victorian border, thousands of locals face bushfires and floods every year. They deserve to be protected by governments who plan ahead, prepare for the worst and respond quickly when disasters strike.
The Emergency Operations Precinct, to be based in Moruya, would include an Emergency Operations Centre to ensure the community is better prepared and protected from future bushfire and flood risks.
Currently, disaster response in the region is coordinated from separate sites, including a temporary facility in the local RSL hall.
A single, purpose-built operations centre will help local emergency services personnel plan for and respond to disasters more efficiently, potentially saving lives and properties across the region.
Reviews into the tragic 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires have shown a purpose-built emergency services precinct is needed.
Federal Labor Leader, Anthony Albanese said, “Thousands of Australians who face bushfires, floods and cyclones every year deserve to be protected by a Federal Government who plans ahead and invests to keep them safe.
“These investments will literally save lives, not to mentioned the taxpayers’ funds that have to be spent on recovery and repairs when disasters hit.”
“In remembering the horrific summer of 2019/2020, we owe it to this community to ensure all possible resilience and protection efforts are taken to prevent those same experiences ever tearing a community apart again,” said NSW Labor leader Chris Minns.
“We may not be able to control natural disasters, but we do have the ability to minimise their impact and to ensure coordinated responses.”
Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said, “For more than eight years the message from local residents, Eurobodalla Shire Council, emergency services workers and volunteers has been, whilst much loved, the Moruya RSL Hall is not fit for purpose as an emergency management centre.
“Labor’s commitment will ensure that locals are better protected from the natural disasters we know are coming.”
Dr Michael Holland, NSW Labor candidate for Bega said, “This precinct will be critical in providing support to emergency services and the community the next time natural disasters strike.
“But, it should not have to take a by-election for the NSW Government to act. This community deserves better”.
Labor’s commitment stands in stark contrast to the Morrison Government’s failure to plan for future disasters.
In 2019, the Morrison Government established a $4 billion Emergency Response Fund (ERF), which has since earned over $750 million in interest, but has not built a single disaster prevention project.
Only Labor will build a better future for disaster prone communities.
