Community
11 February, 2025
SES in for big upgrades
STATE Emergency Service (SES) facilities at Holloways Beach and Babinda are to be upgraded, as well as improved sandbagging at six locations.
Cairns Regional Council is confident of securing funding for the works.
Under the state government’s SES support grant program, councils can dedicate resources to SES groups so they can effectively respond to emergencies and improve community resilience.
A council spokesman said having successfully acquired SES support grants last financial year for upgrades and improvements at Trinity Beach, Machans Beach, Holloways Beach and Edmonton, the council was confident of again securing funding this year.
The applications are:
$90,500 for further upgrades to the Holloways Beach vehicle shed. Modifications to the facility were initiated with last year’s grant, but due to additional costs associated with realigning sewage lines, extra funding was required to complete the project
$56,400 for the installation of a generator to adequately supply power to Babinda SES
$123,600 to improve sand bagging facilities at Babinda, Edmonton, Machans Beach, Buchan Point, Gordonvale and Holloways Beach.
“Timely and suitable access to sand and sandbags is critical in disaster management and improvements are required to provide better access and protection of sand bagging facilities,” the spokesman said.
“The proposed structures will be a 6m x 6m concrete base surrounded on three sides by 80cm-high concrete block walls, covered by a fitted vinyl water shedding cover,” he said.
Deputy mayor Brett Olds told last week’s council meeting that the SES does “fantastic work which we saw on display 14 months ago (Cyclone Jasper)”.
He said their roles were year-round.
In the meantime five SES members have received Australia Day awards, presented by SES Far Northern region area controller Matt Currey and Mayor Amy Eden.
The awards were presented to:
Bethany Sarles, Holloways Beach deputy group leader for exemplary service to the Holloways Beach community as a member of the Queensland SES
Binjira Nolan-Mundraby, Edmonton field operations member for tireless efforts during Tropical Cyclone Jasper and Jardine River search
Craig Mann-Jones, Edmonton leading field operations member for dedication to volunteering
Sharon Pedersen, Far Northern region leading field operations member for continual dedication to the training of volunteers
Gary Chapman, Buchan Point deputy group leader for his commitment to community safety in work and development of SES response to potential incidents on the newly- developed Wangetti Trial.
