Geraldton Marine Rescue base at Point Moore ‘likely’ to be claimed back this year by surging tides

The Geraldton Marine Rescue base at Point Moore faces an uncertain future with the facility “likely” to be claimed by surging high tides.

A State Government cheque for $250,000 was written for Marine Rescue to help build its new base in 2016. But if the tide comes within 4m of the building, the lease will need to be relinquished and the structure demolished by the City of Greater Geraldton.

On Friday, a volunteer staff member alerted the Geraldton Guardian to the waves lapping metres from the corner of the building during high tide at 9.55am.

Marine Rescue commander Damien Healy said it was “lucky we haven’t had any storms during the full moons, when the tides are at their biggest”.

Going into winter, Mr Healy said it was “more likely than unlikely” that the tide would cross the 4m threshold and the building would be claimed back by the city.

“I wouldn’t say the word is frustrating — it’s heartbreaking. It was completely rebuilt in 2016 . . . it’s a real shame because where we are it’s such a good building in such a good location,” he said.

Mr Healy said after completing nine sandbagging campaigns to ward away the tide, “we’re better off looking to go elsewhere”.

The group is in discussions with the Department of Transport to lease land in the marina, but needed to secure funding in order to put a building on the block.

“We’re currently leasing a room in the multipurpose centre and it’s quite expensive, it’s small and not really fit for purpose but it’ll do in the short term,” Mr Healy said.

There is currently no time line as to when Marine Rescue will find a long-term space to base their operation.