Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie volunteers score new $1.7m communications centre
A new $1.7m communications hub will replace the existing facility at Swansea Heads and supply the latest generation marine communications technology to support volunteers to respond swiftly to help save lives on the water.
Newcastle
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150 Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie volunteers will soon have a new world-class emergency operations base to call home.
Construction has started on a new $1.7 million communications centre, with upgraded facilities and equipment, to service one of the state’s busiest boating community.
It will replace the existing facility at Swansea Heads and supply the latest generation marine communications technology to support volunteers to respond swiftly to boaters who need help 24/7, going towards saving lives on the water.
The purpose-designed unit will provide dedicated command and control facilities for planning, managing and coordinating extended and multi-agency search and rescue operations.
The two-storey building will also incorporate training and meeting space, storage for essential rescue equipment, offices, amenities and kitchen facilities, a viewing platform and a lift to improve access for volunteers with a disability.
Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper said the new radio base and headquarters was an important investment.
“The volunteers have been operating in outdated and cramped conditions for a long time and I was very pleased to see the State Government announce funding to provide this new world-class facility as part of a $37.6 million four-year funding boost to MRNSW,” Mr Piper said.
Under the current pandemic restrictions there was a small gathering to mark the occasion as the Lake Macquarie MP turned the sod for the start of construction to get underway.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos said Lake Macquarie was consistently the busiest marine rescue unit in NSW, launching 396 rescue missions, including 50 in response to life-threatening emergencies and responding to 21,743 radio calls from boaters in 2019.
“This funding is boosting our rescue capability and ensuring our volunteers have fit-for-purpose facilities designed and equipped for modern emergency services operations – and that means greater safety for our boating community,” he said.
Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie Unit Commander Mal Wardrop said the start of work on the project was the culmination of extensive planning and input by unit members.
“Our current base has served us well but it was not built to cater to the modern, professional emergency response and management needs of our members,” Mr Wardrop said.
“This new centre will enhance our operations and provide our members with a safe, secure working environment.
“We are confident that first-rate facilities such as this will also encourage new members to join the unit.”
The project is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
The local unit will continue its radio operations in the current base until October, before temporarily relocating to its Pelican boat facility until the new base is completed.