New flood rescue vehicles for SES

NEW flood rescue vehicles are being rolled out across NSW to strengthen disaster response and help State Emergency Service crews reach isolated communities.

The upgrades include 10 high clearance trucks worth $800,000 each and 11 light flood rescue Land Cruisers valued at $270,000 each.

Units in Ballina, Yamba, Tamworth, Wyong, Kiama, Orange, Forbes and Sydney are among the first to receive them.

Additional high clearance vehicles will also be deployed to Murwillumbah, Coffs Harbour, Taree, Ku-ring-gai, Broken Hill, Goulburn, Moruya and Dubbo.

The new trucks were built at Port Kembla with enhanced off-road capability, cranes and custom storage for inflatable rafts and other rescue gear.

They are designed to operate in extreme conditions and through floodwaters up to 1.2 metres deep, allowing crews to deliver supplies and complete rescues in hard-to-reach locations.

The rollout follows the busiest year for the SES since 2022, with volunteers responding to more than 59,000 incidents in the past 12 months.

Minister for emergency services Jihad Dib said the investment would make a tangible difference on the ground.

“These new vehicles ensure we are giving our frontline emergency services the equipment they need to respond faster, reach more people in isolated areas and carry out rescues in some of the most challenging conditions,” Dib said.