Victorian relief continues into NSW to support flood affected parts of the state

Victorian relief continues into NSW to support flood affected parts of the state

09/07/2022, 9:43 AM

Along with our partner emergency service agencies, Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers are continuing to support flood affected communities in NSW, with another VICSES taskforce due to leave later today.  

The taskforce, made up of 26 VICSES members will be based in Gosford, on the NSW Central Coast north of Sydney.

Crews will be supporting local NSW SES volunteers to respond to requests for assistance in the community related to building damage, fallen trees, and other storm and flood damage.

It may also include removing downed trees form thoroughfares; temporary roof repairs; flood mitigation, such as sandbagging and water diversion, but it will be highly varied as the extent of the damage becomes clearer.

Earlier in the week, the NSW SES requested support from Victoria through the State Control Centre, with the first VICSES led task force departing on Wednesday.

The VICSES volunteer flood and storm crews will relieve local NSW SES crews, and respond to new jobs as they come through the system.

The VICSES members are from across Metropolitan Melbourne, Gippsland, the South-West and the North East of Victoria.  

Currently NSW is experiencing one of its biggest flood events in several decades, with above average rainfall recorded across much of the state.

Victoria may be requested to provide additional resources to various locations across NSW in the coming days.

ENDS

Quotes attributable to VICSES Chief Officer Operations, Tim Wiebusch:

“Our volunteers have once again answered the call for help, with a further 26 heading up to NSW today. I could not be more proud of each of these members for giving up their time to assist our counterparts in NSW as the flooding crisis intensifies. I also thank their employers and their families at home for enabling them to deploy interstate and provide much needed assistance”.  

“Although the rain may subsided, we are continuing to see the ongoing impacts the flooding has had in NSW, and so expect our volunteers’ role to be significant. Many of the impacted areas have already seen severe flooding earlier in March and April”.

Quotes attributable to VICSES Camperdown Unit Member, Kylie Warren:

“This will be my first interstate deployment. I am looking forward to carrying on the great work of the previously deployed VICSES volunteers and working with the local NSW SES volunteers to assist in the Gosford/Maitland areas. It’s always rewarding to put our skills and training to use helping others in their time of need.”