The gravel access road to Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie’s Swansea Heads base has been in a dire state for some years.
But, the hazardous thoroughfare will soon be a thing of the past.
The NSW Government is set to invest more than $636,000 to upgrade the area to ensure it provides a safe and reliable point of entry for the organisation’s volunteers and the community.
Currently, the condition of the road, which extends to the Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie base from Waratah Street, gets impacted during heavy rain.
Bitumen sealing will ensure its dependability in all weather conditions.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said the NSW Department of Planning and Environment – Crown Lands would fund the sealing of the 750m road.
The investment follows the official opening of the $1.8 million Marine Rescue Search and Rescue Coordination Centre at Swansea Heads in 2020.
“The Marine Rescue base at Swansea Heads is the busiest in the Hunter and Central Coast,” he said.
“It handled more than 24,000 calls in 2021-22, undertaking 568 missions that brought 1,265 boaters safely back to shore.
“We want to ensure Marine Rescue volunteers have immediate 24/7 access to their Lake Macquarie operations base to help them keep the Hunter boating community safe on the water.”
Swansea MP Yasmin Catley and Lake Macquarie City Council also launched sustained advocacy to fix the issue.
“I am pleased the government is funding an all-weather sealed road,” she said.
“Swansea is a community surrounded by water.
“So, it is vital our Marine Rescue volunteers are able to safely travel to the headquarters, so they can respond to emergencies.
“Sealing the access road is a project that I have been passionate about.
“I’ve advocated for funding in Parliament and collaborated with my colleagues at Lake Macquarie City Council in calling on the government to provide financial support.
“This announcement is a fantastic win for Marine Rescue volunteers, as well as the people of Swansea.”
Lake Macquarie City mayor Kay Fraser said council would be appointed the Crown Land Manager of the upgraded access road, as well as an adjoining Crown reserve.
“That will allow us to keep it in good condition into the future,” she explained.
“Council will also have ongoing management of the surrounding reserve, including the car parking, playground, picnic shelters and public barbecue facilities at Reid’s Reserve, for the benefit of the community.”
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos said the road upgrade would enable volunteers to focus on their mission of saving lives on the water.
“In an emergency, every minute counts,” she stated.
“So, the upgraded road will provide our members with faster and safer access to their vital rescue facility.”
For more news stories:
- Urgent Care Clinic will fill major gap in Hunter: Repacholi
- Gillieston Heights one step closer to ‘new’ public school
- Restoration of GPAAH funding a ‘win’ for Hunter community
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
