SES secures major funding for equipment and facility upgrades

Scenic Rim's new SES Local Controller Sandy Bell at a briefing to volunteers

The Scenic Rim State Emergency Service (SES) Unit will soon benefit from upgraded facilities and a new vehicle following the approval of more than $100,000 in state funding.  

Scenic Rim Regional Council has secured $117,119.70 under the Queensland Government’s 2024-2025 SES Support Grant Program to upgrade the facilities at the Beaudesert SES Shed site and purchase a new vehicle for the Beaudesert SES Unit.  

This funding, which forms part of $3.7 million in Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) grants awarded across 60 local governments, will cover the entire cost of the SES facility upgrades and 75 per cent of the vehicle purchase cost.  

Chair of the Scenic Rim’s Local Disaster Management Group Councillor Stephen Moriarty said the funding joined Council’s other successful applications under the 2023-2024 SES Support Grant Program to upgrade the facilities at Boonah SES Unit and Beaudesert SES Headquarters.  

“Council is also very grateful to have received additional funding from the Queensland Government for much-needed upgrades to the computer equipment across the entire Scenic Rim SES Unit network,” he said.  

“These ongoing upgrades to our SES facilities and resources play a vital role in enhancing the region’s emergency response capabilities.” 

Cr Moriarty also acknowledged the appointment of the Scenic Rim’s new SES Local Controller, Sandy Bell. 

“We are pleased to announce Sandy’s appointment to this integral role. She brings a wealth of experience to the position and a dedicated approach to community safety and disaster management,” he said.  

“Her leadership will help guide our local units through the recent state-level changes, which saw Queensland SES transition from a sub-branch of QFES to a separate entity with its own Chief Officer, hosted by the Queensland Police Service (QPS). 

“This exciting change means the Queensland SES will have a significantly enhanced budget and extra permanent staff, which will have significant flow-on effects for local units across the state like the Scenic Rim.” 

Cr Moriarty said Council was committed to supporting its local volunteers in orange and would collaborate with Queensland SES and QPS to ensure a seamless transition for the region’s SES units.  

The upgrade of the facilities at the Beaudesert SES Shed site and the purchase of a new vehicle for the Beaudesert SES Unit has been funded under the Queensland Government’s 2024-2025 SES Support Grant Program.