Marine Rescue Newcastle is pleading with council to allow them to return to their cliff-top base near King Edward Park.
The Shepherds Hill Cottage site has been off limits since it was badly damaged in the April Super Storm last year, with the base forced to operate out of Kooragang Island.
Newcastle Council has since cut short the organisation's lease and has put the entire site's future in question by commencing a re-write of policy surrounding its use.
Marine Rescue Unit Commander, Ron Calman says membership has plummeted by almost half since the forced move - down to 42 members from about 80 last year, and he believes the unit is the logical tenant for the cottage, which has expansive views of the ocean.
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| Fenced Off: The Newcastle Marine Rescue Base At Shepherds Hill Cottage Photo courtesy nbnnews.com |
