Hedland Marine Rescue makes desperate plea to industry, government for funding to upgrade 117-year-old base

Marine Rescue Port Hedland has made a desperate plea for industry and government support in upgrading their 117-year-old base of operations. The volunteer group has, for six years, been pleading for funds to replace their McKay Street base, which in 2020 was found to be ‘uninhabitable’ by a certified structural engineering inspection. Some $337,264 has already been committed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services for upgrades, but the group’s $2.7 million target has so far not received contributions from elsewhere. Led by commander Zac Slaughter, Marine Rescue Port Hedland co-ordinates often dangerous rescue operations in the world’s largest bulk export port, as well as help with natural disaster preparedness operations among other marine operations. The group is so valuable to the local community, it has received several awards in the past decade including multiple nominations and wins in the WA Fire and Emergency Services awards. Now, in an open letter to the community and stakeholders, Mr Slaughter pleaded with industry and government to come to the table and invest in community safety. “Action is required immediately to ensure continuity of services for the community and port operations,” the letter said. Mr Slaughter said, should funds not be received, the group would be forced to disband and all activities would be diverted to private enterprise in Perth — a move, he said, would mean increased risk to community members and seafarers using the waters off Port Hedland. “Marine Rescue Port Hedland sincerely regrets the impact that is likely to be caused and has worked in earnest for several years to mitigate this outcome,” He said. “The team has engaged with Senator the Hon Murray Watt (February 21) to advocate for funding via the ‘Growing Regions’ program which is flagged as the successor of the BBRF program. “No other funding has yet been committed by other industry or government.” It comes after, during a visit to Port Hedland in February, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a $565m investment in infrastructure for the Port of Port Hedland. The group has raised two options for a future facility — including identifying a land tenure adjacent to the new Spoilbank Marina, or demolishing and rebuilding at the current McKay Street site. Numerous North-West-based companies and politicians have written to the Federal Government to support calls for funding, including the Pilbara Ports Authority, BHP, KGB Marine, the Town of Port Hedland, Port Hedland Police, Aviator Group, Essential First Aid Training, Melissa Price and Kevin Michel.