Surf Beach Emergency Services Precinct

Project: Supporting the development of new headquarters for the Surf Beach Rural Fire Brigade (RFB) and Batemans Bay State Emergency Service (SES)

Timeframe: March 2022 to December 2022

Status: Complete

Cost and funding:

  • $628,050, Australian Government Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program
  • $200,000, NSW Government Infrastructure Grants – disaster readiness

Page last updated: May 2025

Latest news: May 2025

NSW Public Works has announced that construction of the shared facility will begin this month, with completion expected in early 2026. The $5.6 million project will be managed by Public Works under an agreement between Council and the NSW Government.

Details

We have worked to:

  • prepare land to allow construction of a facility to service the Batemans Bay SES and Surf Beach RFB squads at a new location next to the NSW ambulance station on George Bass Drive, Surf Beach.
  • facilitate an agreement with the NSW Government covering the provision of funds for the SES building and the different responsibilities of the RFS and SES in delivering the facilities.

Benefits to the community:

Once built, the facility will allow the RFS and SES to:

  • continue providing emergency and rescue services
  • conduct awareness programs to build community understanding, confidence and resilience
  • provide specialised training facilities, and safe and secure storage for vehicles and equipment
  • have up-to-date communication capabilities
  • offer an environment likely to increase volunteer participation.

The Surf Beach RFB is currently based in Sunshine Bay. The SES was based next to the Batemans Bay Council depot until the 2019-20 bushfires destroyed the facilities. The new site in Surf Beach was chosen for its ease of access to George Bass Drive, enabling rapid response to the northern end of Eurobodalla.

Batemans Bay SES and Surf Beach RFB volunteers:
  • are essential to our community, particularly during times of natural disasters
  • undergo extensive training and preparation to help them to respond to a wide range of emergency and rescues
  • work closely with residents to help them be more prepared for future natural disasters.

Project updates

May 2025

  • NSW Public Works have advised that construction of the new headquarters will:
    • begin this month and continue through to early 2026
    • cost $5.6 million.

March 2025

  • Council and the NSW Government signed a memorandum of understanding confirming that Public Works NSW will manage the construction phase of the project.

September 2024

  • Council drafted an agreement covering the provision of funds for the SES building and the different responsibilities of the RFS and SES in delivering the facilities.

December 2022

  • Council contractors carried out the bulk earthworks to prepare the site for construction of the new facilities.

August 2022

  • Council contractors removed vegetation to make way for the new facilities.

May 2022

  • Our design team liaised with the RFB and SES to determine the layout of the site.

More information

For more information, please contact NSW Public Works: