The funding, which comes from the NSW government’s Infrastructure Grants program, will allow for the installation of new radio systems and back-up generators. 

Marine Rescue has in recent years been advocating for a complete upgrade to the Swansea Heads building, which sits on a nature reserve above the entrance to Swansea Channel and Lake Macquarie. 

Deputy Commander Mal Wardrop said the grant puts the voluntary organisation in a steady position to push for a complete base overhaul. 

"The Marine Rescue radio base at Swansea Heads has provided almost 40 years of safety communications to the boating public,” Mr Wadrop said.

“However this venerable building is now in need of urgent replacement.

“This generous grant from our state government will be the strong foundation on which we will build a new, fully accessible, state-of-the-art search and rescue communication centre which will continue to provide safety communications to our mariners for many years to come.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald MLC, said the project will boost reliability of Marine Rescue’s service and enhance the range of communication it relies on to monitor vessels and save lives 24 hours a day.

“The project will make it easier for Marine Rescue to keep watch on vessels and other users of local waterways in Lake Macquarie and as far south as Terrigal and north to Stockton Bight,” Mr MacDonald said.

The radio base project is one of 22 across NSW funded through the Clubgrants category 3 Infrastructure Grants program.

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