TIME TO RETHINK EMERGENCY SERVICES LOCATIONS

Robert Dwyer • 18 August 2025

TIME TO RETHINK EMERGENCY SERVICES LOCATIONS

The recent devastating flooding in the Manning Valley has highlighted the need to look at relocating a number of emergency services facilities, Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer said today.

 

“Both the Coopernook Rural Fire Service and the Harrington State Emergency Service facilities are located in areas that unfortunately are often the first to be inundated with flood water, making it extremely difficult for those organisations to service the community at a time when they are needed the most.

 

“Members of the community have raised this matter with me as a major concern with  the inability of two local emergency service providers not being able to respond to flooding due to their incapacity to access trucks and equipment from their individual emergency service units,” Mr Dwyer said.

 

“I have already discussed this issue with the Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon Jihad Dib MP and I have officially written to him requesting financial assistance to relocate these units if suitable sites can be identified.

 

“Under the Regulations, it is the responsibility of local councils to provide land for these emergency services and I have a meeting this week with Mid Coast Council to try and identify possible new locations for the units.

 

“This is in no way a criticism of the emergency service volunteers or the performance they provide to our local communities, but rather bringing to light a flaw in the system that has to be looked into,” Mr Dwyer said.

 

“If new locations can not be identified, we need to look into flood mitigation measures to ensure these two emergency service organisations can get to and from their facilities during times of an emergency.”

 

Robert's Media Releases

by Robert Dwyer 18 July 2026
Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer is urging the NSW Government to deliver a budget that balances critical infrastructure investment with support for essential community services as cost-of-living pressures continue to impact local families.
by Robert Dwyer 17 July 2026
The NSW Liberals and Nationals have announced they will reinstate the Regional Seniors Travel Card if elected to government in 2027, providing vital cost-of-living relief for seniors living in regional communities.
by Robert Dwyer 8 July 2026
Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer says the growing number of businesses relocating from New South Wales to Queensland demonstrates the urgent need for payroll tax reform to restore the state's competitiveness.
by Robert Dwyer 8 July 2026
Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has welcomed more than $1.27 million in NSW Government funding for the North Coast Regional Landcare Network (NCRLN), describing it as a significant investment in environmental stewardship, climate resilience and Aboriginal partnerships across the region.
by Robert Dwyer 8 July 2026
Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer says the NSW Government's $561 million Transport Affordability Package is being sold to the whole state, but two of its four headline measures are built for a network that doesn't exist on the Mid North Coast.
by Robert Dwyer 6 July 2026
Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has welcomed the commencement of tough new laws that will hold commercial landlords accountable if they knowingly allow illicit tobacco and illegal vaping products to be sold from their properties.
by Robert Dwyer 6 July 2026
Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has cautiously welcomed the launch of the state's new Development Coordination Authority (DCA), but says local homeowners and Port Macquarie-Hastings and Mid Coast Councils need a guarantee the one-stop- shop will actually speed up approvals in the regions, not just in Sydney.
by Robert Dwyer 26 June 2026
Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer has responded to the NSW State Budget, welcoming some local investments while calling out the failure to fund Wrights Road, the Thrumster Wastewater Scheme and other critical infrastructure for the region.
by Robert Dwyer 25 June 2026
Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has welcomed a major commitment from the NSW Liberals and Nationals to deliver the most competitive payroll tax regime in Australia, saying the reforms will provide much-needed relief for small and medium-sized businesses across the Mid North Coast.
Robert Dwyer said the report highlights serious concerns around affordability and accessibility
by Robert Dwyer 27 May 2026
Robert Dwyer reports highlights serious concerns around affordability, accessibility, workforce pressures & growing compliance burden placed on providers/educators.
Show More