Jihad Dib
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government
Minister for Emergency Services
Minister for Youth Justice
Steve Whan
Member for Monaro
MEDIA RELEASE
New emergency hub to strengthen Snowy Monaro disaster response
Wednesday, 14 May 2025
The NSW Government is investing $15 million in the protection of Snowy Monaro communities, with work to begin on a new state-of-the-art bush fire and emergency management centre in Cooma.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has awarded the construction contract for the new Fire Control Centre (FCC), which will be co-located with an Emergency Operations Centre and aviation facility.
The centre will enable faster coordination and enhance frontline capabilities as emergency management experts are brough together under one roof during times of disaster.
The Snowy Monaro FCC is being developed in response to the 2020 NSW Bushfire Inquiry, which identified the need for upgraded emergency management infrastructure in the region.
Zauner Contruction Pty Ltd will soon begin construction, with the project to be managed by NSW Public Works.
The facility will be located on a site adjoining the existing FCC and Cooma/Polo Flat Aerodrome.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
"This new centre will be a vital resource for those on the frontline and provide our volunteers with the best possible infrastructure to assist in firefighting efforts.
"With purpose-build workspaces and training rooms, this facility provides our emergency service personnel with the modern technology they need to protect life and property.
"This investment enhances not just firefighting but also search and rescue capabilities, which are vital in remote and rugged parts of the region."
Member for Monaro, Steve Whan said:
"It's great to see work finally starting on this important new facility. I am aware that it has been many years in the planning and having visited the exiting centre many times, I am aware of its limitations.
"Our region has a history of large bushfires, and this centre will provide the facilities, technology, and working conditions to ensure that our incredible, dedicated, emergency service volunteers and staff can provide the most effective responses possible.
"I'm very pleased to be a part of a Labor Government making the investment in this facility. It builds on a number of new control centres build in Monaro during my last period as Member for Monaro."
Commissioner of the RFS Rob Rogers said:
"This new centre will not only support day-to-day operations, but also better equip our personnel to manage multi-agency responses to a range of hazards.
"The inclusion of a secure helicopter hangar and crew accommodation will also boost our aerial firefighting and rescue capability across the region, enabling faster deployment and more effective response during critical incidents."
