Salute to SES

Media release: March 9, 2020

Hunter’s Hill Council has recognised the extraordinary efforts of the local State Emergency Service (SES) unit in assisting the community during recent extreme weather events.

Mayor Mark Bennett tonight presented NSW SES Hunters Hill Unit Commander Louise Bertoni with a certificate of gratitude in recognition of the team’s exceptional service during severe storms in February.

During the weekend of February 7 to 9 and during the week of February 18, a significant area of the municipality experienced fallen trees, water inundation, building damage and power outages.

NSW SES Hunters Hill Unit was on hand to respond quickly and effectively.

The SES logged 101 jobs in Hunters Hill during the storm events. Most of these requests for assistance were completed within 48 hours.

The Hunters Hill SES volunteers worked 400-plus hours during this time.

Commander Bertoni said that most of the work her unit performed included removal of trees from roads, pools and footpaths, tarping roofs, and securing windows with silicone. The Unit also assisted local nursing homes with sandbagging and securing property and the safety of residents.

Hunter’s Hill Council’s Works team worked solidly to clear fallen trees and branches and supported the efforts of the local SES and other emergency services.

NSW SES is a volunteer-based organisation that works with communities to prepare and respond to severe weather events.

“We would like to thank those who are self-employed for giving up their time and employers allowing their employees time off to assist,” Clr Bennett said.

“We thank those people who volunteer their time for the work that they do in Hunters Hill to keep our community safe.”

Other highlights from tonight’s Hunter’s Hill Council meeting included resolutions to:

• reaffirm Council’s commitment to build a pedestrian crossing on the corner of Mary and Mark streets, Hunters Hill;
• make a submission to the Independent Review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, noting advocacy for prohibitions on sale of land, rehabilitation of contaminated land and funding to address backlog maintenance obligations; and
• endorse the final Parramatta River Masterplan, which includes actions to assist the Parramatta River Catchment Group – an alliance of local and state government agencies, including Hunter’s Hill Council – in its mission to make Parramatta River swimmable again by 2025.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jacqui Jones, Communications Officer. Phone: (02) 9879 9400 or 0408 027 518. Email: jonesj@huntershill.nsw.gov.au

Related news