The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has launched the Aboriginal Peoples Engagement Program, a statewide initiative announced on 19 January 2026, which will work with First Nations residents to co-design local emergency plans for places including Chester Hill, New South Wales. The program aims to improve community safety by incorporating local knowledge and culturally appropriate approaches to preparing for floods and storms.
Led by Commissioner Mike Wassing, the SES has employed three Aboriginal Community Engagement Officers (ACEOs) to build meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The ACEOs will work with the Bankstown SES Unit (which services Chester Hill) to recruit Aboriginal volunteers and co-design culturally appropriate warning systems and preparedness activities. The broader goal is to build trust and provide clear, locally grounded guidance for residents in emergencies.
Chester Hill sits on the traditional lands of the Cabrogal people of the Darug nation, and the program emphasises respecting these cultural connections. The SES intends to draw on local knowledge — including historical flood information and natural markers shared by Elders — to better understand local risks. The suburb is culturally diverse (2021 ABS QuickStats show a high proportion of households where a non-English language is used), and the SES says it wants to ensure all residents’ voices are heard in planning.
Residents can engage through community hubs such as the Chester Hill Neighbourhood Centre; the ACEOs are expected to facilitate co-design workshops at local centres to gather feedback on safety and warning preferences. The SES is also inviting Elders, community members and students to help guide how information is shared so that emergency preparations reflect local values and needs.
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