Community & Business
11 August, 2024
Probe into new SES building for Atherton
AN investigation will be undertaken by Tablelands Regional Council into providing a new fit-for-purpose building to house the Atherton SES.
Currently, the SES houses its gear at three different buildings in Atherton, some of which are vermin infested.
Cr Annette Haydon raised the issue at the recent council meeting, saying it was less than desirable for the equipment to be housed in three locations and moved that the council investigate providing a building on one site to accommodate all the group’s gear.
“TRC has had some major disaster events in recent years and we rely on SES volunteers and usually the SES are the first responders after an event,” she said.
“Our resources in Atherton are spread over three facilities with items stored such as rescue equipment, lighting, chainsaws, tarps, etc, which is not great.
“These facilities are vermin infested and a hazard to our volunteers.
“In 2020, councillors were asked to build a new SES building but a location was not agreed upon and the motion was lost.
“Over the last 15-20 years, SES and TRC have had numerous discussions about the requirement to identify or construct a new SES headquarters in Atherton so the facility can secure all the SES assets safely in one location and to accommodate the largest SES group in the region.”
She said some of the equipment was expensive and vital and needed to be housed in a secure and safe location.
Cr Cardew said the issue was raised during the last term of council, and he believed the council had passed a motion to investigate a suitable location at that time.
But Cr Haydon said that due to a tree being on the site which could not be removed, the “whole thing fell over”.
Councillors voted to undertake the investigation, with a report to come back to council.
Meanwhile, the SES is putting the call out for more volunteers to join the group and held a recent event to drive awareness about what they do.
Groups from Atherton, Malanda, Ravenshoe, and Mt Garnet came together for a training, bonding, and family fun day in Mt Garnet.
During the event, members had the opportunity to enhance their skills in digital repeater set-up, Star Link, land search operations, ATVs, and chainsaw use. The following day, a family fun day was held at Mt Garnet headquarters where the public could observe members practicing working safely at heights and road crash rescue techniques.
Anyone who is interested in joining the SES can contact their local group or visit www.ses.qld.gov.au/form/online-enquiry and submit an online enquiry.
