- The Queensland Government has announced a $460,000 grant program for marine rescue services this financial year.
- Individual marine rescue units will be eligible for grants of up to $10,000 each.
- Grants can be used to fund facility maintenance and enhancement or to purchase necessary equipment and services to support marine rescue operations.
Queensland boating and marine enthusiasts will be safer on the water following the announcement of a $460,000 grant program for the state’s marine rescue sector to support emergency response capability.
This follows the success of previous one-off grants in 2021 and 2022.
The direct assistance grant program provides additional financial assistance to volunteer marine rescue services, delivering greater safety for Queensland’s boating and marine enthusiasts.
Announcing continuity of the grant program from Volunteer Marine Rescue Bundaberg today, Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan MP said the $460,000 investment would enhance marine rescue services across the state.
Quotes attributable to Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan:
“These vital grants provided direct to frontline units will enhance Queensland’s marine rescue capacity to respond to on-water disasters and emergencies,” he said.
“The grant program will provide additional funding to Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland (VMRAQ) and Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Australia (AVCGA),” he said.
“Individual VMRAQ Squadrons and AVCGA Flotillas will be eligible for a grant of up to $10,000 each to fund facility maintenance and enhancement or to purchase necessary equipment and services,” he said
“Marine rescue volunteers provide a vital service keeping Queenslanders safe and this grant program provides additional support to the important work they do,” he said.
Volunteer Marine Rescue Bundaberg Vice-President Graham Kingston welcomed the additional funding.
Quotes attributable to Bundaberg MP Tom Smith:
“The Queensland Government direct assistance grants help marine rescue units like VMR Bundaberg purchase equipment and services we need to make sure we can respond to anyone who needs us on the water,” he said.
“Last year, VMR Bundaberg used this grant for vital upgrades to the lighting on our marine rescue vessel, an emergency alarm, new lifejackets, and a portable radio.
“We’re looking forward to making our submission for this year’s round of grant funding,” he said.
Explainer:
- The Palaszczuk Government is committed to a single integrated state-wide marine rescue service which will be called Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ).
- When established, MRQ will have an on-going baseline budget of $27 million for frontline support, resources, vessels and equipment.
- The Queensland Government made this commitment on 26 October 2022, following the release of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Independent Review. This is one of the largest funding commitments by a State Government for volunteer marine rescue services in Australia in recent times.
- Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) and Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland (VMRAQ) units will be invited to transition to MRQ and, in turn, will become MRQ volunteers who will continue to work alongside Queensland Water Police to support the State’s Marine Search and Rescue capability.
