Rockhampton ready for helicopter rescue hangar expansion
06 December 2016
- Construction begins on new RACQ rescue helicopter two bay hangar.
- Hangar will include modern engineering and sleeping accommodation facilities to support 24/7 services.
- The Coalition Government committed $2.34 million under the National Stronger Regions Fund.
The first sod was turned today on the construction of a new two bay hangar for the RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service in Rockhampton.
Minister for Regional Development, Fiona Nash, said this wonderful facility will provide better access to critical medical and search and rescue assistance for regional and remote communities.
“The RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service is the sole aeromedical and search and rescue service in the region, covering an area of 180,000km2 with more than 220,000 residents and this investment will support these services,” Minister Nash said.
Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, was in Rockhampton today at the sod turning ceremony and said the new facility will house both the services primary and backup rescue helicopters with additional room for future expansion.
“The pilots, crew, ambulance paramedics and doctors are on call 24/7 365 days-a-year and its imperative that they have access to state-of-the-art modern facilities and equipment,” Ms Landry said.
Member for Rockhampton, Bill Byrne, said: “Every time the helicopter gets airborne it is potentially saving a life.
“It is vitally important the service is available whenever it is needed and the new facilities will ensure it operates at maximum capacity.”
Executive Director of RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service said local company Hutchinson Builders had been awarded the contract for the construction of the new hangar.
“The new facility replaces the existing 18-year-old hangar that we outgrew a few years ago and will go a long way to ensuring the service will always be available to the people who need us,” Mr Fewtrell said.
The project is jointly funded by the Coalition Government ($2.34 million), the Queensland Government ($1.4 million) with the remaining $1 million being provided by the RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service with the assistance of sponsors and the community.
The project is scheduled for completion mid-late 2017.