State Emergency Service Fleet Renewal

In reply to Mr ELLIS (Narungga) (25 June 2024). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State): I have been advised:

The vessel referred to in the budget papers relates to the provision of a new rescue vessel for the South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES) Ceduna unit under the SASES capital plan, which will result in enhanced marine response capabilities on the Far West Coast.

Regarding vessels operated by volunteer marine rescue (VMR) associations, of which there are currently six in South Australia, these are provided in accordance with the VMR vessel replacement program following a schedule endorsed by the VMR Council of SA.

The VMR Council of South Australia is a body comprising representation from the SASES (chair), the six VMR Associations and South Australia Police, and is a consultative forum to facilitate a collegiate approach to the administration of VMR services in South Australia.

This year the VMR vessel replacement program will facilitate the replacement of the rescue vessel and tow vehicle operated by the Copper Coast Flotilla of the South Australian Sea Rescue Squadron, to be located at their facility at Wallaroo. This vessel will provide the primary marine rescue capability to waters of mid-eastern Spencer Gulf and complement other government-funded rescue vessels operated by volunteers on Yorke Peninsula at Edithburgh, Port Broughton, Port Victoria and Port Vincent.

With respect to the Point Turton area, this is the ratified primary response area provided by one of the six VMR Associations, the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol (RVCP) who have their headquarters located in Port Victoria, where a government-funded rescue vessel and tow vehicle are housed. Both assets are contained within the VMR vessel replacement schedule.

It is recognised that the population of and visitation to the Point Turton area has been steadily increasing over time and that boating and aquatic activity has had a corresponding rise, which necessitates consideration of appropriate rescue services.

Due to its age and configuration, the RVCP Point Turton vessel has had restrictions placed upon it that limits its area of operation and may require more capable rescue vessels to travel from Port Victoria or Edithburgh. Neither the SASES nor the RVCP have the financial resources to fund the procurement of a new rescue vessel within current funding arrangements.

At the last meeting of the VMR council held in April 2024, the capability at Point Turton was raised and it was resolved that the SASES marine rescue manager will work with the RVCP to identify opportunities to support the Point Turton capability. That consultation is ongoing, and I have asked the SASES chief officer to keep me informed of developments.