Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant announced plans to inject $37.6 million into the not-for-profit organisation earlier this week.

The funding, which is dependent on the Berejiklian government being re-elected in March, would be dispersed over the next four years and more than double Marine Rescue NSW’s annual budget. 

The organisation has listed Newcastle and Lake Macquarie among seven rescue units to receive upgraded bases or boat buildings. 

The Newcastle, Lemon Tree Passage and Port Stephens units have also been slated to receive new vessels. 

Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie Deputy Commander Malcolm Druce said money would be available to upgrade the unit’s Swansea Heads radio base. 

The unit has been pushing for a new base for many years and has development approval for the rebuild, which in 2015 was estimated to cost about $950,000.

“It’s an amazing shot in the arm for us,” Mr Druce said of the funding pledge announced on Sunday. 

“It allows us to be more professional in the way we respond to incidents, it gives us more room for upgraded equipment, it gives us a training room that we can use and that’s a big part of what we do – training and re-training people to keep their skills current.” 

Lake Macquarie is the busiest Marine Rescue unit in the state and conducted twice as many assists than any other unit during December. 

“We’re the busiest base bar none,” Mr Druce said.

“Not only do we have the Lake to cover, we’re also covering from Redhead Bluff down to Wybung Head and up to 30 nautical miles off shore.” 

Mr Druce said a new building would provide better security for volunteers who work overnight at the isolated Swansea Heads base. 

Marine Rescue Newcastle Commander Ron Calman said the unit would get a new 10-metre vessel as part of the pledge but funding for a base was not as clear. 

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For the past 18 months the unit has operated out of a temporary facility at Warabrook, which Mr Calman said it was grateful to have but was not ideal given its distance from the coast. 

He said the unit was hoping to return to its former HQ at Shepherds Hill Cottage, where its radio transmitters are still located and relayed to Warabrook from. 

Marine Rescue NSW would also update the marine radio network it maintains and operates as part of the funding.  

“For the first time we’ll be able to invest in a major capital works program to provide our units with efficient, safe and modern operating facilities,” Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos said.