A total of 82 patients were retrieved from the Banana Shire region by RACQ Capricorn Rescue Helicopter Services last year, at a cost of $984,000.

Banana Shire Council has been a long term supporter of the rescue helicopter service and this year Council has increased its annual contribution from $5000 to $7500. Council also provides staff with the mechanism to provide their own contributions from their fortnightly pay.
Banana Shire Mayor Nev Ferrier said Council was happy to continue to support this life saving service.

 “Due to the vast distances between the towns across the shire and the distance to the region’s major emergency department at Rockhampton, the Capricorn Rescue Helicopter Service (CRHS) is essential and at an average cost of $12,000 per flight, it is not a cheap service to provide,” Cr Ferrier said.

“If our support helps to save the life of one of our residents, then it is certainly money well spent. It is hard to imagine what would happen if we did not have access to this emergency medical service and it is terrific that the rescue helicopter service continues to receive support from RACQ, the government and other large corporate and mining companies.”

RACQ Capricorn Rescue Helicopter Service executive director Mark Fewtrell thanked Banana Shire Council for their continued support and increased funding.

“Banana Shire Council has been a supporter of CRHS for many years and we value this long standing partnership,” Mr Fewtrell said.

“Our helicopter averages over one task per day and our annual operating costs are in the vicinity of $8.4M of which we are required to raise 46% of this amount from within the communities we serve.”