A Macksville disaster emergency centre impacted by floods? Could be time to find a new home

When access to an emergency centre is cut off during a flood – due to floodwater  – something’s got to give.

The Nambucca Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) shares a site on Kelly Close in Macksville with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and State Emergency Services (SES). It is two streets back from the river.

During the floods in May, access was cut off, with East Macksville inundated with floodwater, making it unusable. During the 2022 flood, the NEOC was temporarily moved to the Macksville District Hospital due to avoid the issues with access at the current site.

In a disaster the NEOC assists “combat agencies” - the State Emergency Service (SES), Rural Fire Service (RFS) and NSW Police. The NEOC is established in an emergency to support the lead combat agency, which depends on the nature of the emergency, by bringing together other government agencies and coordinating actions.

At the September Nambucca Valley Council meeting, councillors approved a  recommendation – submitted by David Moloney, Director Engineering Services – to co-locate the NEOC with Marine Rescue NSW on Crown Land in Mann Street, Nambucca Heads. 

A staff report to councillors stated the chosen alternative location would be less affected by floods than at its current location in Macksville.

💰Who pays? 

Council is reliant on a grant to fund the NEOC changes. Nambucca Valley Council General Manager Bede Spannagle said partnering with Marine Rescue NSW will better the chances of a grant being secured.

“When government agencies are co-located, there is little or no duplication of resources,” he told the Mid North Coaster.

“Marine Rescue NSW requires a new building to meet its purpose of providing coordinated marine emergency responses. If the NEOC can co-locate with Marine Rescue in its potential new building, then the agencies will more efficiently use resources and therefore a grant funding body should look more favourably upon this scenario.”

The staff report noted that some grant funding will require a 50 percent contribution from the council. The other half would come from state or federal governments, depending on the grant.

The report states that while co-locating will reduce costs to council, a “significant investment” will be required, including the cost of regular maintenance of the new site.

A more substantial assessment of costs will be undertaken now that a suitable location has been decided.

📍The new location

Marine Rescue recently purchased the Crown Land in question, so there is no acquisition cost to council.

Marine Rescue NSW has been designated the manager of the land at 10 Old Coast Road, Nambucca Heads. A new purpose-built facility will need to be constructed on this site.

🗒️ Next steps

Council’s resolution to endorse the recommendation to co-locate the NEOC with Marine Rescue NSW on Old Coast Road was a first step.

Council will work with Marine Rescue NSW to consider grant and advocacy opportunities,  with the view to gaining funding to construct a new building.

The RFS and SES will remain on Kelly Close, Macksville.

Thumbnail: NEOC Macksville location map (Insert), Mid North Coast May 2025 flood event