Community
11 March, 2025
Future sealed for vital body
MARINE Rescue Queensland’s future has been secured at Port Douglas with a 30-year lease on its Wharf St property.
Douglas Shire Council has granted the Queensland Police Service – as the hosting agency for Marine Rescue Queensland – a 30-year trustee lease with the council.
The lease means that Marine Rescue Queensland can remain at its Wharf St headquarters until at least 2055.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the council was pleased to support the organisation.
“Firstly, thank you to all the marine rescue volunteers who roll up their sleeves and come to the aid of our local boaties,” she said.
“I am sure you see a lot of relieved faces onboard and some well-deserved pats on the back once you’ve towed their vessels back to the shore.
“Port Douglas has been relying on your community service for more than four decades and we gratefully look forward to you continuing your hard work into the future.”
Cr Abigail Noli told last month’s council meeting that the deal was “a few years in the making”.
She said the long term lease at “a very reasonable rate” would benefit the public as there were a lot of boat users in the Shire and their services were “a valuable asset to have”.
Cr Michael Rees said 10 years was a normal lease, but the 30-year lease “guaranteed” an ongoing service to the Shire.
Earlier last month the Port Douglas unit was officially launched by chief officer Tony Wulff and director of operations Mark Anderson.
They also awarded MRQ citations to the newest members of the organisation “to recognise their role in the establishment of Queensland’s first state-wide volunteer marine rescue service, dedicated to saving lives at sea and supporting those on or near the water.
It recognises their dedication and ongoing service to their communities”.
Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Port Douglas became the seventh marine rescue unit to transition to Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) and the first one in Far North Queensland in December.
As a result of the change, the organisation involves more than 30 active Douglas Shire volunteers.
VMR Port Douglas has operated in the Far North for more than 40 years and it is expected that the community will continue to receive the same dedicated service as before.
The organisation is part of Queensland Police Service and is responsible for coordinating the state’s disaster and emergency services response. MRQ is, however, a separate service with its own identity, structure, governance and uniforms.
