Luke Hartsuyker (Cowper, National Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to commend the great work of the emergency services during the recent flood emergency on the New South Wales North Coast. At a time of massive rainfall and the need for major evacuations, the work of the emergency services was, indeed, superb. Police, fire services, ambulance and the volunteer SES service worked incredibly well and incredibly hard. I would like to commend them but it was not only about the actions on the ground. Bad weather was forecast some days ahead and the severity of the storm was known in advance. In Coffs Harbour, some days before the event actually happened, we saw a large number of SES vehicles already marshalled, ready to go to work if the need arose. The need did arise across the electorate and it was very pleasing to see the high quality of the work done by the SES volunteers assisting the employed emergency services. There were necessary evacuations of the major centres but, fortunately, the levees held and the towns were saved. A lot of good planning was in evidence and a lot of great work by the emergency services.