A wave of community support continues to build for the new State Emergency Service Unit at Gawler as local emergency service crews gathered for the official launch of construction today.

Representatives from CFS, MFS, SA Ambulance and SES volunteers from the Salisbury, Kapunda and new Gawler Unit all attended the new site alongside Minister for Emergency Services Dan Cregan MP, SES Chief Officer Chris Beattie, Member for Light Tony Piccolo MP, Mayor Karen Redman and Member for Spence Matt Burnell.

With 34 local volunteers already signing on to be part of the new Gawler Unit, which is set to be in action in mid-2025, Mr Piccolo said this $5 million Malinauskas Government election commitment is already delivering in raising the spirits of residents.

“Our community understands how much this development means to our region, our residents and the crews, and they’re volunteering in numbers to ensure response times are improved for those in need,” said Mr Piccolo.

“A lot of work has gone into getting this project off the ground with SES and members at both Kapunda and Salisbury, particularly former Salisbury SASES member John Lawrence.

“With our region only growing, the new resources being put in place and the close to a dozen additional crew members coming over from Salisbury will ensure we can cope with the high demand of emergency situations.”

The Gawler Unit is designed to ease pressure on the existing Salisbury and Kapunda SES Units. which currently service the Gawler area and its establishment follows an SES review that found Gawler is experiencing rapid growth.

The Salisbury and Kapunda Units have responded to more than a combined 7,000 requests for help over the past decade, highlighting demand on both Units.

Mr Beattie commended Mr Piccolo on his advocacy and efforts with SES to lobby for a Gawler Unit, and has been blown away by the response from Gawler residents.

“The Gawler area has previously been admirably serviced by the Kapunda and Salisbury SES Units,” said Mr Beattie.

“However, with Gawler identified as a high growth area over the coming years the need for a new Unit in Gawler became very clear.

“We have had terrific interest and support from the Gawler community to join the new Unit and we look forward to working with the local community going forward.”

Once operating, the new crew will service the Gawler and the Barossa as well as suburbs in the Playford and Adelaide Plains districts.

The new Unit will feature an Operations Room, which can function as an Incident Control Centre, three offices, a communications room, kitchen and welfare facilities.

An appliance building will include two engine bays to accommodate SES appliances, a storeroom, change rooms, accessible bathroom and laundry area.

Minister Cregan is pleased “The State Government is delivering on its commitment to establish a new SES Unit in Gawler to meet the needs of a rapidly growing area.”

“We’re particularly grateful to have the advocacy of our local member (Tony Piccolo) – if I remember correctly, this is a matter he brought to my attention on my first day as Minister,” said Minister Cregan.

“Strong community interest demonstrates why this is a vital addition to support the service the SES provides across Adelaide’s north.

“Modern equipment and facilities will ensure local volunteers have the resources they require to respond to emergency incidents.”

Located on Two Wells Road, Willaston, the new site is about halfway between the existing Kapunda and Salisbury SES Units, 3.5 kilometres from the Gawler MFS Station and 7.7 kilometres from the Roseworthy CFS Station.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the Gawler SES Unit is encouraged to visit ses.sa.gov.au/volunteer or call 1300 364 587.