June deadline looms as concerns grow over VMR, Coast Guard merger

A radical plan to merge the Volunteer Marine Rescue service with the Coast Guard and bring both under state control is in rocky waters.

A “radical” state government plan to merge the Volunteer Marine Rescue service with the Coast Guard and bring both under state control is unlikely to meet a June 30 deadline.

Plans for the merger under the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services department were originally announced in the state government’s Blue Water Review in 2018, which later set June 30, 2022 as the deadline.

Despite a Marine Rescue Implementation Working Group being established to ensure the project proceeded smoothly, QFES is yet to present a proposal to the 47 VMR and Coast Guard units.

There are 10 volunteer marine and Coast Guard organisations in Moreton Bay and members said they feared losing their assets as the deadline approached and felt ignored as they had not been informed about next month’s proposed merger.

Southeast Queensland Coast Guard Squadron Commodore Jason Boon said members were concerned their fundraising efforts would be lost on “radical plans” and the restructure would follow similar lines to the New South Wales marine rescue merger.

In March, the state announced it would spend $35.38 million over the next four years as part of the plans for the single integrated marine rescue service.

The funding included $17.383 million to replace volunteer marine rescue vessels, with $18 million for the new service’s ongoing operational subsidies to squadrons and flotillas.

QFES said no date had been announced for the new entity merger and it was unable to elaborate on how assets would be acquired.

But a spokesman said existing assets, including vessels, acquired through the hard work of volunteers and community support, would remain in communities including at volunteer services at Redland Bay; Jacobs Well and Hervey Bay.

“The Working Group continues to examine future service options, including similar arrangements interstate and plans to further engage and collaborate with volunteers at all levels,” QFES said.

“The priority remains to ensure the future service provides the most effective model for the people of Queensland and provides the highest possible level of support and protection for marine rescue volunteers.

“The move to a single service was the result of an extensive consultation and review process starting in 2018.”

Southeast Queensland Coast Guard Squadron Commodore Jason Boon, left, said members were concerned their fundraising efforts would be lost on “radical plans” and the restructure would follow similar lines to the New South Wales marine rescue merger.

Southeast Queensland Coast Guard Squadron Commodore Jason Boon said members were concerned their fundraising efforts would be lost on “radical plans” and the restructure would follow similar lines to the New South Wales marine rescue merger.

He said most of the state’s 47 VMR and Coast Guard units were “tired of being left in limbo” and wanted to know when and how the restructure would occur.

“It’s very messy as the state government will have to negotiate with all the different units over all of their separately-owned assets,” Mr Boon said.

“We’re not worried about the land as most of that is leased by our units and is owned by local governments or privately.

“What we are concerned about is what we will be paid for some of our old buildings, which are on our books for a pittance because they have been depreciated over the past 30 years.

“Not-for-profit charities like these two organisations cannot gift their assets away because they were bought using money collected from tax-free fundraising.

“Boaties should not have to worry about losing services because at the moment and regardless of what happens with the merger, the state government will have to provide a safety service in the future.

“We have been kept in the dark but all the informal information I have been given is that it will continue to be business as usual because the state cannot implement a radical change that is not supported by volunteers.

“Without the volunteers, the services would be crippled,” Mr Boon said.

Opposition spokesman on Marine Infrastructure Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson said the state government’s “secretive” merger plans had left marine rescue operations at Wellington Point, Redland Bay, Cleveland, Dunwich, Manly and Jacobs Well under funded.

“The local VMRs have no guarantees about their assets or whether they would be better off under the new service,” Mr Robinson said.

“This is a broken promise that was supposed to bring together the marine rescue groups and ensure critical funding.”