Gwydir Shire SES Controller Peter O’Brien, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Warialda SES Unit Controller Graham Moxey and Gwydir Shire Mayor John Coulton at the opening of the new Warialda SES Headquarters on Saturday.
MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall was on hand to take part in the celebrations at Saturday’s official opening of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Warialda Unit Headquarters.
Mr Marshall opened the new facilities and was joined at the official opening of the Headquarters by Acting SES Region Controller Brian Parsons, Gwydir Shire Mayor John Coulton, local SES staff and volunteers.
Mr Marshall said the new $328,000 headquarters had significantly boosted operating conditions for local volunteers and would enable members to better assist the community in times of flood, storms and other emergencies.
The building is a two-bay shed construction complete with kitchen space, toilets and showers, emergency operations room, ample storage space and offices for local SES staff.
“This purpose-built SES headquarters in Warialda is a magnificent building and would not have been possible without the strong support of Gwydir Shire Council and the local SES unit and is a great contribution to the people of Gwydir Shire and Warialda community,” Mr Marshall said.
“During the last 12 months alone, the Warialda Unit has contributed 3,005 volunteer hours assisting the community so this new facility really is a win for not only the volunteers but also the whole community.”
Mr Marshall commended the local volunteers who he said devoted a considerable amount of time training to ensure their skills and equipment are constantly able to meet the variety of situations they respond to.
“With the new facilities, the Warialda team will be able to respond even more efficiently to requests for help from the community during storms, floods and other emergencies including road crash rescue, which they have been doing since the Unit first opened its doors in 1967,” he said.
“I know the volunteers efforts over the last 48 years have been much appreciated by the community and I am sure this facility will prove of great value to the Service and the local community and encourage more people to join up.”