IT UPGRADE FOR FORSTER-TUNCURRY MARINE RESCUE

Forster-Tuncurry Marine Rescue will undertake a further upgrade of its equipment thanks to funding announced today by Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie.

“The funding had been made available under the 8th round of the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities program which provides $150,000 in assistance towards local community projects in each electorate across Australia,” Dr Gillespie said.

“The Club has secured $2,500 towards the cost of two new laptop computers which will assist with training and Marine Rescue’s operations,” Dr Gillespie said.

The Forster-Tuncurry unit has 100 members, each involved in various capacities of volunteer service including crewing rescue vessels, operating marine radios and associated computer systems, fundraising, training in all systems and administration duties. This new equipment will allow them to efficiently carry out their operations to meet current standards.

Dr Gillespie said this round of funding was designed to support volunteer and community groups which weren’t able to fundraise or haven’t the means to provide matching funding.

“This program has always been very popular since its inception under the former Abbott Government. In this latest round, more than 80 organisations across the Lyne electorate applied for more than $1.5-million towards over $2-million in local community projects.

This program allows groups to apply for grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 without matching funding and up to 20 groups will be awarded funding per electorate. Local governing bodies and organisations that fall under them are only eligible to apply for up to 50 percent of the project costs and provide matching funding.

Dr Gillespie said he had written to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development & Local Government, Catherine King, and the Shadow Minister, Bridget McKenzie, suggesting the program be continued and expanded.

“This is an important program for many local community organisations, particularly in regional and rural areas where we could have easily invested ten times the funding we were allocated locally towards community projects,” Dr Gillespie said.

“The Minister could not provide me with a commitment that future rounds would be supported only that it was a matter for the future. The Shadow Minister indicated the program would continue under a future Coalition Government.”