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Cobram SES petition tabled in Parliament

Nationals Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy with the Cobram SES petition that was tabled in Parliament this week.

Thursday 14 December 2017 

Nationals Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy this week tabled a petition in Parliament calling for the urgent need for a Victorian headquarters for the Cobram SES unit.

Mr McCurdy said the petition contained almost 2000 signatures, demonstrating the importance of a Cobram base for the SES unit.

“The Cobram SES provides an invaluable service to our town and region and the large number of people who have signed this petition shows the urgent need for a local headquarters for the unit,” Mr McCurdy said.

“The petition calls for State Government to provide funding to the Cobram SES that will enable it to bring all of the unit’s equipment to its home town.

“This will enable SES personnel to do what they are trained for, enhance flood response on the Victorian side of the border and continue to support their NSW partners.” 

Mr McCurdy said Shadow Emergency Services Minister Brad Battin met with Cobram SES members in town last week. 

“Brad met with the Cobram SES who I am supporting to achieve their goal of a SES headquarters in Cobram,” he said.

“Currently they house their vehicles in private sheds, rented sheds and at the Tocumwal SES. The Cobram SES do an outstanding job, particularly having a major river in town adds another dimension to search and rescue in our region.” 

The petition highlights the Cobram SES currently operates out of Tocumwal, NSW, 18kms away, which adversely impacts the unit’s response times to emergency calls. 

Mr McCurdy said that over the past 10 years the unit has provided vital assistance during and after two tornados and several floods.

“The Cobram SES is also called on for road crash rescue, storm recovery and assisting all other emergency services. 

“This petition clearly shows the community support for the Cobram SES to have the facility it needs to do its job.”