The NSW Government is investing $21 million in the safety of the Clarence Valley community following an announcement in 2023 that a new bush fire and emergency management centre would be constructed in the region.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS) has awarded the construction contract for the development of the new Clarence Valley Fire Control and Emergency Operations Centre with Hines Construction Pty Ltd set to commence building the facility following a competitive tender process, with the projects to be managed by NSW Public Works.

The Clarence Valley centre, currently in Ulmarra, will relocate next to the Clarence Valley Regional Airport in Grafton, providing better access to aerial firefighting resources during bush fires and other emergencies.

The centre will feature a state-of-the-art operational workspace, training rooms, and storage facilities to better support the needs of local volunteer firefighters.

The centre will also provide local emergency services with the cutting-edge technology and resources they need to effectively manage a multi-agency response to hazards, including storms and floods.

The new facilities are being developed in response to the 2020 NSW Bushfire Inquiry, which identified the need for upgraded emergency management infrastructure in the region.

Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib said the new centre will ensure NSW firefighters and emergency services personnel have the modern infrastructure they need to better protect lives and properties.

“The Government is pleased to support skilled employment opportunities that these projects will create in regional areas,” he said.

“These centres strengthen our ability to respond to emergencies across the region, ensuring communities have the resources and coordinated support they need to face future challenges.”

“This work builds on wider investment in firefighting fleets and equipment across the emergency services to ensure resources are in place to prepare for future disasters.”