SES capability enhanced for City of Moreton Bay

Published 06 December 2025

• SES response capability enhanced in City of Moreton Bay with new depot opened to support our community during times of need
• The $7.5 million Deception Bay SES Depot is six times larger than the previous depot and features capacity for more vehicles and a volunteer workforce four times what was previously possible
• It comes as the SES has experienced a 187 per cent increase in requests for assistance since the 2022 floods

Today’s opening of a new Deception Bay SES Depot will drastically bolster the SES’s capability in City of Moreton Bay.

Off the back of last week’s severe storms, that caused significant damage across City of Moreton Bay, this new facility will further enhance SES support for residents. In the past three weeks, Moreton Bay SES completed more than 1300 support tasks across South-east Queensland.

Spanning some 8000m2, the new $7.5 million Deception Bay SES Depot is six times larger than the 40-year-old building it replaces and is now able to accommodate a volunteer workforce four times larger than previous.

Storage capacity has also jumped from three to five vehicles, adding new all-terrain-vehicle capability and additional smaller response equipment.

City of Moreton Bay Peter Flannery said he was thrilled to see the project come to fruition after years of planning and advocacy.

“The new Deception Bay SES Depot provides unprecedented capability for the SES in City of Moreton Bay, giving our hardworking volunteers access to the latest equipment and training they need to help our residents in their time of need,” he said.

“It was only last year, through solid Council advocacy, that City of Moreton Bay received election commitment funding and in just 12 months, we’ve seen the depot built. This is a significant achievement.

“I’d like to thank the State Government for contributing $3.75 million in funding for this critical project, a 50% co-contribution alongside Council’s already allocated $3.75 million. 

“I’d also like to acknowledge the Deception Bay SES Group and Moreton Bay SES Unit for their longstanding advocacy.”

And in a timely boost for Deception Bay’s first responders, the local SES Group will welcome a record 35 new recruits who will begin their onboarding process once the new depot opens.

 Local Disaster Management Group Chair and Division 10 Councillor Matthew Constance said this will be City of Moreton Bay's largest ever single group onboarding, significantly bolstering their response capability and membership numbers.

“Since the 2022 floods, there has been a 187 percent increase in requests for assistance from the SES across City of Moreton Bay outside of major operations. Those requests will only increase as our City grows and I’ve got no doubt this facility will help meet that demand.”

In a nod to the past, a framed piece of wall from the old depot, built by the original members of the Deception Bay SES Group in 1985, will be put on permanent display in the new facility, alongside the original depot’s plans.

Division 5 Councillor Sandra Ruck said it was important to honour Deception Bay SES Group’s rich history as they transitioned into a new era.

“It is fitting to acknowledge the immense contributions of all of those volunteers over the decades who have proudly donned the uniform,” she said.

“The community the local SES Group has served over the past 20 years has transformed from a semi-rural to highly urbanised area. In partnership with the State Government, Council is proud to continue investing in our SES to ensure they can continue to effectively serve the community in our time of need.”