NSW Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott last week formally opened the new $84,000 Marine Rescue Brunswick training and meeting centre beside the town’s boat harbour.

Mr Elliott said the new facility had been developed with a $30,000 contribution from the State Government’s four-year investment of $37.6 million in Marine Rescue NSW.

The Minister joined MRNSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos and Brunswick unit members to officially open the doors to the facility.

“This new centre means the Brunswick volunteers for the first time have their own dedicated space for their training activities to ensure they are ready to keep watch over the large number of local and visiting boaters here on the coast,” he said.

“The NSW Government is proud to support the volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW and especially to help provide them with the facilities they need to provide an even greater service to our boating community.”

“The Brunswick unit also has recently expanded its capability with the addition of two Rescue Water Craft – jet skis – which will help ensure its members are quickly on the scene of an emergency, particularly on the treacherous Brunswick bar,” he said.

MRNSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos thanked the State Government for its four-year investment in new and refurbished operating facilities, 38 new rescue boats and continued upgrading of the State’s marine radio network.

“This funding is boosting our rescue capability and ensuring our volunteers have fit-for-purpose facilities for modern emergency management – and that means greater safety for our boating community,” he said.

The remaining funding for the building came from a $50,000 bequest from the estate of local medical practitioner Dr Suresh Rananavare.

Unit Commander Jonathon Wilcock said the new building was the culmination of extensive planning and input by the unit’s volunteers.

“We previously had to rent a local hall for our unit meetings and training. The funding from the NSW Government and the generous bequest from Dr Rananavare’s estate has enabled us to have our own dedicated space,” he said.

“We also were fortunate to receive an Emergency Volunteer Support Scheme grant for almost $4,400 to help us fully equip and fit-out the centre with the audio-visual tools, IT resources and furniture we need for our training.

“The new facility is already enhancing our operations and providing our members with a safe, secure working environment. Our unit has trained extremely hard to develop its skills and we maintain our equipment at the highest level to be rescue ready 24/7.

“We are confident that such first-rate facilities will also help us encourage new members to join the unit.