Ian Goodenough (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Whitfords Volunteer Sea Rescue is the second-largest marine rescue group in WA with more than 100 volunteers providing an essential emergency service to our community by ensuring boating safety in the coastal waters off my electorate. The re-development of the ocean reef marina requires demolition of the group's current building and relocation to new premises. Committee members have contacted my office concerned that the specifications of the replacement facility have been downgraded and will be inadequate to meet their operational needs. In particular, the removal of the second floor means that the radio communications tower has been relegated to the first floor. The reduced height limits visibility from the tower, which means the operators will be unable to see far over the marina breakwaters out to sea, so flare sightings or other indications of vessels in need of assistance will be limited. In addition, the lower height of the antennas reduces the radio transmission range. Concerns have also been raised about the size of the training room, which is key to the operation of the service and has access to adequate car parking for volunteers rostered on duty. On behalf of the Whitfords Volunteer Sea Rescue, I call upon the WA state government and DevelopmentWA to utilise funding from the emergency services levy to ensure that the facilities provided are fit for purpose— (Time expired)