Construction of the new $1.7 million Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie communications centre is ahead of schedule, with work on the second floor now well advanced.
Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper turned the first sod on April 28 to kick off the building works.
Mr Piper said the new modern radio base and unit headquarters was an important investment in the safety of the region’s large local and visiting boating community.
“This is a great day for the 150 volunteer members of Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie, who provide an invaluable service to our community,” Mr Piper said.
“This new centre, with upgraded facilities and equipment, will significantly enhance their ability to respond to emergencies on our local waterways 24 hours a day, every day. The volunteers have been operating in outdated and cramped conditions for a long time and I was very pleased to see the State Government announce funding to provide this new world-class facility as part of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.”
Replacing the unit’s existing facility on Swansea Heads, the landmark base will be equipped with the latest generation marine communications technology. It will provide dedicated command and control facilities for planning, managing and coordinating extended and multi-agency search and rescue operations. The two-storey building also will incorporate training/meeting space, storage for rescue equipment, offices, amenities and kitchen facilities, a viewing platform and a lift to improve access for volunteers living with a disability.
Commissioner Stacey Tannos said again thanked the State Government for its welcome $37.6 million investment in new and refurbished operating facilities, 38 new rescue boats and continued upgrading of the State’s marine radio network.
“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.
MR 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,” he 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 new base was designed by TorrenBell Building Design and is being built by Cowyn Building Group, which has a base at Charmhaven. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of the year, depending on weather. The unit can continue its radio operations in the current base until October, when it will temporarily relocate to its Pelican boat base.
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