Ballina Shire Council has announced construction of a new SES unit and Emergency Operations Centre in Ballina has commenced.
The new building is set to deliver modern amenities and improved operational efficiency, supporting the Ballina SES Unit to continue its critical work responding to floods, storms and other emergencies.
The project will include:
- New six-bay vehicle shed;
- Administration offices incorporating an Emergency Operations Room, Incident Control Centre, training room, meeting rooms, offices, locker room with showers, laundry, storage and kitchen/dining facilities;
- Carparking and lighting upgrades;
- Connecting footpaths and stormwater infrastructure;
- Landscaping and offset planting.
Council says a review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the project has been prepared and approved. This review includes a Vegetation Management Plan, prepared by specialist consultants with oversight by Council’s technical officers, including its ecologists.
“To allow for construction, 40 trees will need to be removed from the site. To mitigate the impact, 80 new trees plus 150 shrubs and 350 ground covers will be planted. These new plantings will be species that support the local coastal swamp forest. This mitigation measure complies with the relevant legislation and Council’s policies to provide a reasonable balance between protecting our environment and providing this important facility,” the Council said in a statement.
“The current SES headquarters will remain operational during construction of the new facilities. The carpark will be established after the new building is complete.”
The project is being jointly-funded, with $2.1 million contributed by the NSW Government and $4.2 million from Ballina Shire Council. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2026.
For more information visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/SESBuilding.
