WATER Police and marine rescue entities will soon be housed in the same building under a new plan to streamline services in Cairns and the Far North.
Cairns Water Police, along with QF9 Cairns and the future Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) regional centre, will be co-located at a large office space as part of the Cairns Marine Operations Base.
The Queensland Government is currently delivering significant change to the state’s disaster and emergency management system, which includes the establishment of Marine Rescue Queensland.
Minister for Police and Community Safety Mark Ryan said having the water police, coast guard, and future Marine Rescue Queensland at the same location would see a more streamlined approach to Far North operations.
“The fit-for-purpose facility is the ideal solution to meet future operational requirements, including the increased demand in the area and shared resourcing,” he said.
Minister Ryan today also announced QF9 Cairns will receive a new marine rescue vessel under the state government’s vessel replacement program.
The new vessel will replace QF9 Cairns’ aging secondary vessel, enhancing marine rescue capability and ensuring a more modern, safe and responsive service to the Cairns community.
The 7.5m hard-collared rescue vessel will undertake sea trials in March, with anticipated delivery to QF9 Cairns in April 2024.
“The Queensland Government is proud to invest the $22.3 million into updating replacing marine search and rescue vessels,” Minister Ryan said.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) Commissioner Katarina Carroll said that QPS is excited to welcome Marine Rescue Queensland into their organisation.
“By putting our Cairns Water Police and our Cairns MRQ members under the same roof, we will be able to continue to deliver high calibre services and meet the communities’ expectations across our waterways into the future,” she said.
“Modern vessels for our dedicated marine rescue volunteers provide enhanced capability to keep Queenslander’s safe on the water.
“Due to the increase of population and demand, it is essential that we maintain our facilities and services with the latest equipment and technology to help our officers and our marine partners best serve and protect their communities.”
MRQ will bring together Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and Volunteer Marine Rescue and will continue to their outstanding tradition of protecting Queenslanders on our oceans and waterways.
Numerous units are expected to join Marine Rescue Queensland over the next 12 months, as the Marine Rescue Implementation Program work through a phased approach to bring marine rescue services together across the State.
Under the new agreement, Water Police, QF9 Cairns and MRQ will soon be located under the same roof in Cairns, enabling a streamlined approach to service the increased demand and allow the ability to better share equipment, resources and knowledge.
Keep up with the latest news in Cairns and the Far North, and check out some of our top stories this week: Apprentices to build more homes for Queenslanders in Cairns and Leap year weddings break Brisbane records.
