Mackay rescue service flags need for more government support

‘ … The government should allocate more funding than they do to ourselves and Rockhampton.’

The RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter outside Mackay Regional Council chambers. Picture: Melanie Whiting

A Mackay service that completes hundreds of rescue missions each year will soon call for more support from the State Government to help replace its ageing helicopter fleet.

RACQ CQ Rescue chief executive Ian Rowan said the community organisation would look at trading in one of its current Bell 412 helicopters for Airbus H160s in the next two years.

The new helicopters would be faster, more fuel efficient and comfortable for crew and passengers – not to mention airconditioned – something the current Bell 412s are missing.

But the replacement comes with a hefty price tag between $18 and $20 million.

“We wouldn’t want to pay that. We would lease them over a seven to 10-year period,” Mr Rowan said.

“If and when that happened, then we would be looking to the Queensland Government to increase their funding of the service.”

RACQ CQ Rescue and RACQ Capricorn Rescue only receive 50 per cent of State Government funding, with the other 50 per cent supplemented from community fundraising and sponsorship.

Mr Rowan said the same service in Cairns and Townsville was 100 per cent State Government funded.

“We’re not asking for 100 per cent funding from the government,” he said.

“That’s not what we believe our community wants, but the government should allocate more funding than they do to ourselves and Rockhampton.”

RACQ CQ Rescue CEO Ian Rowan. Picture: Heidi Petith

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A Queensland Health spokesman said patient safety and quality of care underpinned every aspect of its operations.

“RACQ CQ Rescue is a longstanding partner of Queensland Health and we value their commitment to delivering safe community services,” the spokesman said.

“We encourage all of our providers to approach us directly to discuss contractual arrangements and needs.”

RACQ CQ Rescue celebrated its 25th anniversary on Sunday with a recreation of a landing done to launch the service in 1996 outside Mackay Regional Council chambers.

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