An amphibious extreme-terrain vehicle is being trialled on the Mid North Coast to determine whether it could become a new addition to the NSW State Emergency Service fleet.
The eight-wheel Argo will spend six months in the region as part of a 12-month trial aimed at improving access to communities isolated by flooding.
The vehicle will then head to the Snowy Mountains for further testing during winter 2027.
Ten NSW SES members underwent training on Sunday, September 27, learning how to operate the specialised vehicle.
Northern Zone Commander Chief Superintendent Andrew Cribb said the Mid North Coast was an ideal testing ground following the region’s experience with major flooding.
“Communities across the Mid North Coast know the impacts of flooding, and it’s great to see this new capability being tested to see if it could help during future weather emergencies,” Cribb said.
“The Argo can travel through water, boggy ground, marshes and other difficult terrain that can slow down conventional vehicles, helping us reach isolated communities more efficiently.”
“Over the next six months we will be putting the vehicle through a range of operational scenarios to better understand if it can make a difference in response capabilities during flood operations.”
Unlike a conventional side-by-side vehicle, the Argo can transition between land and water, floating when required and using its eight low-pressure tyres to propel itself through the water.
It is designed to support flood operations where access is limited rather than replace rescue boats in deep floodwater.
Mid North Coast Local Commander Lester Davis said local volunteers were proud to lead the state-first trial.
“The Mid North Coast has experienced first-hand how quickly communities can become isolated during floods,” Davis said.
“Having the opportunity to trial this vehicle here means we’ll be able to see how it performs in the conditions our volunteers regularly face and whether it can strengthen the way we respond.”
Results from the trial will help determine whether the Argo has a future in the NSW SES fleet.
The vehicle is valued at $60,000 and comes with an $18,000 trailer.
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