WORK is underway to boost the safety of regional communities across New South Wales with the development of 28 new or upgraded bush fire and emergency facilities, including Narrabri and Brewarrina.

Construction of new Fire Control and Emergency Operations Centres at Namoi-Gwydir, Cooma, and Clarence Valley are well advanced, with planning work progressing for new facilities at Eurobodalla, Tumut and the Hawkesbury.

The Namoi Gwydir facility is being built on a larger site opposite the existing Control Centre in Narrabri.

It includes a new station for the Narrabri Headquarters Brigade and a helipad.

The centre features state-of-the-art operational workspaces, training rooms and storage facilities, better supporting the needs of local volunteer firefighters, and will provide local emergency services with cutting-edge technology and resources needed to effectively manage multi-agency responses to hazards, including storms and floods.

The new facilities are being developed in response to the 2020 NSW Bushfire

A new RFS office complex is also being planned at Brewarrina which will provide a station, mitigation crew base and office facilities to support remote brigades in the state’s far west.

The new centres will be critical in co-ordinating the response to bush fires and other emergencies such as storms and floods.

To support RFS volunteers, work is underway to build 18 new rural fire brigade stations and upgrade another four.

The projects are at different stages of the development process, with some already under construction and others in the initial planning phase.

They will be progressively delivered over the coming years as planning approval, tenders and building works are finalised.

Minister for Emergency Service Jihad Dib said this summer has already served as a reminder of the reliance on volunteer firefighters.

“These volunteers have tirelessly responded to bush fire emergencies in New South Wales, Victoria and beyond,” Mr Dib said.

“Our focus on the state’s firefighting capability reflects our deep respect for the people who step up when it matters most.

“We are planning for the future and investing in firefighting facilities so they have the infrastructure they need, both on the fireground and to coordinate effective emergency response operations.

“Rural firefighting response has been a partnership with local government for one hundred years and I thank councils for their shared contribution in keeping communities safe.”

Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin said the investments make a real difference to members on the ground.

“Better stations, new Fire Control Centres and modern trucks all contribute to safer, more effective firefighting operations,” he said.

“Our volunteers deserve our support and this funding helps ensure they have it.

“We’re grateful for the continued partnership between government and councils in delivering these vital projects.”