‘Un-liveable’ conditions force on-call Rescue 510 crews out of base

It has been revealed Rescue 510 helicopter crews are wasting critical time travelling to the Cairns helipad in an emergency due to “unliveable conditions” at their airport base.

IT HAS been revealed on-call Rescue 510 helicopter crews are wasting critical time travelling in civilian vehicles to the Cairns helipad in an emergency due to “unliveable conditions” at the QGAir’s Cairns Airport base.

Its understood rescue service staff are driving up to 20 minutes before getting airborne when required for rescues and critical patient transport rather than staying at their mould-infested base overnight.

QGAir Rescue 510 helicopter crews have been forced out of their Cairns Airport base by “unliveable” conditions. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

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LNP emergency services spokesman Dale Last said the situation was unacceptable.

“In an emergency situation every minute is critical and I am told they are living 20 minutes from base,” he said.

“That’s an eternity in a life and death situation. It could be the difference between life and death.”

The QGAir hangar is operated by the Queensland Government-funded Public Safety Business Agency.

“These are our first responder emergency personnel and deserve accommodation that meets standards and the Minister needs to prioritise their return to living on base,” he said.

“I think the Cairns community would be totally shocked (crews are) no longer on-call at the base and the Minster (Mark Ryan) has a lot of explaining to do.”

The general aviation section of the Cairns Airport on the western side of the main runway. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan was asked in a Question on Notice to outline the cost incurred by the Queensland taxpayer under the off-site living arrangement.

He was also quizzed about what it would cost to get facilities up to scratch and on-call crews back on deck 24 hours a day.

However Mr Ryan said any comment would be “inappropriate”.

“I am advised by the PSBA that legal advice is pending in relation to an action that the PSBA may have against another party regarding this matter,” he replied to the Question on Notice.

LNP emergency services spokesman Dale Last said sources inside the organisation had raised the issue of “unliveable conditions”.

Mr Last called for transparency and accountability from the government on the deteriorating condition of the rescue helicopter site.

“Why don’t they come out and say it,” he said.

“(The base) must be pretty bad for this to happen. It’s a disgrace that it has been allowed to get to that state, where personnel have to live off-site.”

A police spokesperson said a mould infestation was reported in the sleeping quarters in February last year.

“QGAir officers undertaking night shifts were relocated to nearby accommodation and travel between the accommodation and base when required for tasking,” the spokesperson said.

“Crucially, QGAir’s service delivery during night shifts has not been affected, with all taskings meeting EHN (Queensland Emergency Helicopter Network) response time requirements.”

A project to fix the mould issues at the base has been put out to tender.

Originally published as ‘Un-liveable’ conditions force on-call Rescue 510 crews out of base