Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib with Kiama SES volunteers as they welcome new additions to their fleet. Photo: Office for Jihad Dib.
Brand new disaster response and recovery vehicles built right here in the Illawarra will help state emergency volunteers save lives around NSW.
A new high-clearance vehicle for Moruya SES and a light flood rescue vehicle for Kiama are two of 10 new high clearance vehicles and 11 light flood rescue LandCruisers delivered as part of the NSW Government’s fleet replacement program this year.
The vehicles were built at Alexander Perrie & Co in Port Kembla.
The high clearance vehicles come equipped with cranes and specialised equipment worth $800,000 each, and the light flood rescue LandCruisers are valued at $270,000 each.
Designed with enhanced offroad capability, the 4WD vehicles have a custom-built body for flood rescue equipment, and integrated stowage for inflatable flood rescue rafts.
The high clearance vehicles are designed to operate in extreme off-road conditions and through floodwaters up to 1.2 metres deep, enabling SES crews to deliver essential supplies, complete rescues, and support other emergency services in remote and hard to reach locations.
The vehicles in Kiama and Moruya will increase volunteers’ ability to access isolated communities and perform critical rescues during floods.
NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Damien Johnson said the vehicles were a significant step up.
“We’ve worked closely with our volunteers and technical experts to ensure these designs meet the realities of field operations — whether that’s wading through more than a metre of floodwater, navigating fire trails, or delivering supplies to communities cut off by floodwaters,” he said.
“This investment brings our total number of high clearance vehicles to 20 and means our dedicated members will be able to work more safely and effectively when the next emergency comes.”
South Coast and Illawarra emergency crews have responded to more than 3200 incidents in the past 12 months and the Bureau of Meteorology predicts wetter than average weather will continue until the end of the year.
Kiama has experienced its wettest winter on record with almost 600 mm of rain, and storms, strong winds and heavy rain are typically more frequent from September to April.
The remaining high clearance vehicles will be delivered across the state, including to areas recently impacted by flooding, such as Murwillumbah, Coffs Harbour and Taree. Others will be operational throughout Ku-ring-gai, Broken Hill, Goulburn, Forbes and Dubbo.
The fleet rollout follows extensive consultation with SES volunteers, trainers, and manufacturers to ensure each vehicle meets the operational challenges of the state’s diverse landscapes.
Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said the investment would support the South Coast.
“This is an important investment that will make a real difference in keeping South Coast communities safe,” he said.
“It’s only right that our brave SES volunteers have the best equipment possible, made nearby in Port Kembla.
“As the region continues to face more extreme weather events, making sure our front-line emergency services are prepared is essential.”
