New SES zone to be established

A new zone of operations will be established by the NSW State Emergency Service in the North West.

The announcement of a North Western zone, which will include Narrabri, was made in Tamworth where the future headquarters will be located.

Narrabri Shire has been part of the western zone, with headquarters in Dubbo, and units spanning the entire North West, Central West and Far West regions as far as the Queensland and South Australian borders.

Officials say the new zone of operations will enhance emergency response to floods and storms.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said more than 40 permanent staffing roles would be created.

“Following the devastating flooding in February and March last year, the NSW Liberal and Nationals government announced the single biggest investment in the SES in its 56-year history, with the creation of two new zones a key part of this funding,” Ms Cooke said.

“The new North Western zone’s headquarters in Tamworth will see the establishment of a Level 3 Incident Control Centre which will be able to coordinate large-scale emergency responses to storms and floods across a significant part of our state.”

SES Commissioner Carlene York said the agency is committed to providing the highest level of service to the NSW community.

“Over the coming months we will be building a strong team of local staff to manage incidents throughout the North Western Zone, and provide the best support we possibly can to our wonderful SES volunteers and the wider community,” Commissioner York said.

The North Western Zone headquarters will be temporarily located at Tamworth Airport while a permanent facility is constructed.

The North Western Zone, which takes in Mungindi, Pilliga and Tambar Springs in the west through to Walcha, Glen Innes and Tenterfield in the east, will be led by Chief Superintendent Tammy Sheply, who started in the role last week following 18 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy.