It was a race to move the motion that saw more than $30,000 allocated from Franklin Local Board’s Coastal Rescue Grants fund.
Waiuku subdivision member Sharlene Druyven pipped colleague Gary Holmes, who seconded a motion that grants $4,694.78 to Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi for a new generator, and $26,695 to Waiuku Search and Rescue for a heavy-duty trailer.
“Both groups are an integral part of our community. Volunteers do countless hours of work and remain at the ready to act in the event of an emergency,” Druyven says.
“When you consider those volunteers put their own lives at risk to help others, and the lives they have saved by doing so, a few dollars seems an inadequate response.”
Holmes says the surf club application was made in the wake of this year’s adverse weather, which underlined the need for the club to be self-sufficient during a disaster.
“The club has to able to maintain the operation of key infrastructure through a disaster and a portable generator can be used to keep communications open, allow for more lighting on scene and run pumps to inflate boats.”
Waiuku Search and Rescue operates from its Waiuku base, covering an area including the Manukau Harbour, the coast from Raglan to Piha, and the Waikato River from Mercer to Port Waikato.
“It has two rescue vessels that are towed to the appropriate site. One of the trailers has simply got to the end of its life,” Holmes says.
Stay connected
Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from your area? Sign up for the Franklin Local Board E-News and get it in your inbox each month.
