NSW Nationals’ Candidate for Clarence, Richie Williamson, has welcomed the announcement this morning that the Clarence Valley Regional Airport has been chosen as the site for the new Fire Control and Emergency Operations Centre.

Mr Williamson joined NSW Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience, Steph Cooke Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis, local emergency service personnel and Clarence Valley Council representatives at the announcement onsite this morning.

Mr Williamson said the new co-located facility is the result of an $8.5 million investment by the Nationals in NSW Government.

“It’s a great day for the Clarence community as it will see the Clarence Regional Airport revitalised,” Mr Williamson said.

“It will see the relocation of personnel here onsite seven days a week if required during emergencies and will make our community safer.”

The new facility will consist of:

• An operations and logistics centre;
• Administration offices;
• Training rooms;
• Storage space; and
• Vehicle bays.

Nationals Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said the region is no stranger to natural disasters, with the ferocious fires early in the 2019-20 Black Summer as well as last year’s flooding having a devastating impact on lives, livelihoods, and the environment.

“Some of our state’s most experienced emergency service volunteers and staff are based in our community and they deserve the very best facilities and resources, which I’m proud the NSW Nationals are delivering,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“I want to thank Clarence Valley Council who have worked with the RFS to identify the best potential site to develop this state-of-the-art facility.”

Nationals Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke has joined Mr Gulaptis and Mr Williamson at the ceremony to unveil the Centre’s location.

“Having a Fire Control Centre and Emergency Operations Centre co-located will make an enormous difference to the way our emergency services personnel from the RFS, but also other agencies including the SES, Fire and Rescue NSW and Police are able to respond to fires, floods, storms and a range of other emergencies,” Ms Cooke said.

Design work is now underway and construction will commence later this year.