New facilities for Coast Guard Queenscliff

A LONG-PLANNED expansion of Coast Guard Queenscliff’s maritime operations are progressing with planning approvals for a new 12×20 metre shed granted and building works expected to commence with months.

The service is also in negotiations with Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR) Victoria for an upgrade and expansion of its existing vessel fleet, with its current nine-metre Bass Strait now over 20 years old.

“Everyone recognises the need for an upgrade to the current coast guard vessel, the minister, local member, EMV (Emergency Management Victoria), we’d like to think everybody’s working hard to find it,” Flotilla Commander Michael Donohue said.

Mr Donohue said there’s similar recognition across the board of the need for a second vessel at the Queenscliff end of the bay.

“MSAR are trying to organise funding, we’ve been having discussions with our local member Lisa Neville, she’s having discussions with the Emergency Services Minister, and we’ll wait with bated breath for budget.”

“The replacement for our current vessel, CG9, will cost $1.2 million, not an insignificant amount.”

The Coast Guard is looking to replace its CG9 vessel with a 11.4 metre Steber Craft, and is looking at either a 6.5 metre Gemini, or a 8.5 metre Naiad, for its second craft.

A series of state and federal grants totalling over $200,000 is enabling the Coast Guard to build the new shed, repair its VHF communications tower, upgrade security and construct a new fence and gate around the facility.

Mr Donohue said a building contract has been signed and expects the first sod to be turned within four to six weeks once a building permit is granted.

In the last nine months CGQ attended 67 jobs, assisting 125 people to safety on vessels with a combined value of over $2 million.