Upgrades to the Gracemere SES car park have now been completed, enhancing the SES’s capacity to respond in an emergency.
The upgraded car park is a result of funding from Rockhampton Regional Council’s capital works program and the Australian Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program.
Rockhampton Region Mayor and Chair of the LDMG, Tony Williams said the upgraded car park will have benefits for not only the SES, but all emergency services within Gracemere.
“It’s upgrades like this that are so important for Council to invest in – projects that make a real, tangible difference in our local community,” Mayor Williams said.
“The car park will be able to be utilised by all emergency services as a staging area in times of disaster and other events.
“The Gracemere SES is an ideal location for a staging area due to its central location, being adjacent to a park and community hall, as well as in close proximity to other QFES stations, the Ambulance Station and Police Station.
“The need for an upgraded car park became evident during wet weather that would cause large washouts in the dirt road and carpark, causing problems in getting SES rescue equipment in and out of the SES building.
Deputy Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group Councillor Drew Wickerson said the need for the carpark became apparent during bushfire events and the evacuation process of the town
“The fires in 2018 really showed us that we needed a dedicated area for emergency vehicles to be able to safely gather in one central location,” Cr Wickerson said.
“The area will help increase response times and capacity for all emergency services within Gracemere.
Divisional Councillor Ellen Smith said the carpark will provide safer and more convenient access to the SES building.
“The wonderful SES volunteers and staff who use the building will now have much safer and more suitable access to and from the building,” Cr Smith said.
“The upgrades will help to support the vital work of the SES and make Gracemere a safer and more resilient place to live.”
The carpark upgrade is thanks to the Australian Government and Rockhampton Regional Council.
