Sod turned on new SES base

Construction has officially started on a new $7.5 million State Emergency Service (SES) depot at Deception Bay.

The new SES base, being built beside the current facility, will be six times bigger with enhanced operational areas, training and storage spaces and more car parking.

Deception Bay was named Queensland SES State Group of the Year in 2023 for its efforts in the 2022 floods. Moreton Bay SES earned the same honour in 2024.

The new depot in Old Bay Rd is being built with $3.75 million funding from both the Queensland Government and Moreton Bay City Council.

“SES volunteers are the backbone of our disaster response and recovery efforts,” Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said.

"They put their lives on the line to protect Queenslanders, and they deserve the best facilities and resources we can provide.

“I stood alongside SES teams in the state’s last three major weather events and witnessed the courage and commitment of volunteers as they assisted Queenslanders through some of their darkest moments.

“Most recently, multiple Deception Bay SES members were deployed to North Queensland during the floods.

“This investment is about backing them with the infrastructure they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said: “Tropical Cyclone Alfred was a good reminder of the importance of our local SES groups to protecting, saving and aiding the community during emergency events.

“Even though we were lucky TC Alfred didn’t quite hit as hard as was originally predicted, the Moreton Bay SES Unit spent 800 hours responding to more than 1800 tasks in the weather event.

“This new depot will give our volunteers the space to train, grow, and respond with even greater efficiency when disaster strikes.”