Solar and battery systems have been installed at 20 Rural Fire Stations across the Central Coast to ensure services can continue to operate independently should a grid power fail occur during natural disasters.

Central Coast Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Dr Alice Howe said the initiative will be of particular importance to the many community members who live in isolated and vulnerable areas across our large Local Government Area, who have previously faced limited access to basic needs such as power and vital emergency services during natural disasters.

“The installation of solar and battery systems at local Rural Fire Stations will provide the community with the assurance that they can access emergency services during times of need,” Dr Howe said.

Dr Howe said Council has partnered with NSW Public Works to manage this initiative, which is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.

“The ability to generate and store renewable energy also provides economic benefits, including savings on the consumption and cost of electricity.”

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said this is a great move towards further ensuring that our community and local emergency services are prepared when faced with natural disasters.

“It is crucial that our local fire services can maintain operational during a bush fire and these new resources will help to achieve that. It also serves as a timely reminder to our community about the importance of being prepared for emergency events at home,” Mr Hart said.

“I urge residents living near bushland to understand the potential bushfire risk to their property and learn how to reduce that risk.

“Being prepared for bushfires can save lives and property, which in turn helps us to recover from these events more quickly when they do occur.”

Local Rural Fire Stations that have received solar and/or battery systems include:

• Dooralong RFS, batteries only
• Mangrove Mountain RFS, batteries only
• Kulnura RFS, batteries only
• Pearl Beach RFS, batteries only
• Empire Bay RFS, batteries only
• Somersby RFS, batteries only
• Matcham Holgate RFS, batteries only
• Phegans Bay RFS, batteries only
• Avoca RFS, Solar PV + Batteries
• Yarramalong RFS, Solar PV + Batteries
• Patonga RFS, Solar PV + Batteries
• Mount White RFS, Solar PV + Batteries
• Gwandalan RFS, Solar PV + Batteries
• Killcare – Wagstaff RFS, Solar PV + Batteries
• MacMasters Beach RFS, Solar PV + Batteries
• Ourimbah RFS, Solar PV + Batteries
• Wadalba RFS, Solar PV + Batteries
• Lake Munmorah, Solar PV + Batteries
• Mannering Park, Solar PV + Batteries
• Charmhaven, Solar PV + Batteries

To know your risk and have a plan ready, go to NSW RFS web page for information and resources, rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare

Prepare a Bushfire Survival Plan

These projects were co-funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.

ENDS