Construction has been completed and the plaque has been unveiled, marking the official opening of a new $1.215 million Marine Rescue Broken Bay base.
Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes said the new facility, in Rowland Reserve on the shores of Pittwater, has been developed thanks to $915,000 from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s four-year investment of $37.6 million in Marine Rescue NSW, a $200,000 commitment by Northern Beaches Council and a $100,000 Community Building Partnerships grant.
“I’m delighted to be here today as we mark the completion of this important project,” Mr Stokes said.
“This wonderful new facility means the members of Marine Rescue Broken Bay now have an operations base specifically designed to support them in their vital work in keeping watch over the Pittwater and Broken Bay boating community.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is proud to support our Marine Rescue volunteers by providing them with the facilities they need to deliver life-saving services to the State’s boating community.”
The new facility includes a large training and meeting space, ample storage for rescue equipment, offices, amenities, kitchen facilities, a wet area for boat crews and access for volunteers living with disability.
Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell thanked the Government for its support in developing the new base.
“This funding has boosted our rescue capability on Pittwater and Broken Bay, and ensured our volunteers have facilities designed and equipped for modern emergency management,” Deputy Commissioner Barrell said.
“Pittwater and Broken Bay are some of the busiest boating areas in NSW, and these new facilities will help ensure our volunteers are rescue ready should an emergency arise.”
Commander of the Broken Bay Unit, Jimmy Arteaga, said the new building was the culmination of extensive planning and input by the unit’s volunteers to ensure it met their needs now and well into the future.
“This new building provides a significant improvement to our ability to train and undertake operations, as well as providing our members with a safe and secure working environment,” Mr Arteaga said.
“I’m grateful for the support of the NSW Government and Northern Beaches Council and confident these first-rate facilities will also help encourage new members to join our mission of saving lives on the water.”
