On his election as President for the Rotary Club of Emerald, Mike McCosker set the Club an ambitious project to establish a patient transfer hub for the Emerald Community.

With the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) currently flying 500 patients annually out of Emerald, and this number is expected to increase in line with the forecast growth in the township and surrounding districts, the need for this facility has become apparent.

The RFDS is indispensable in our community, with many having a personal connection, through someone we know who has used the service, including our own Rotary Club members. The importance of providing a dedicated space for patient transfer rather than the back of an ambulance cannot be overstated. The Patient Transfer Hub will not only benefit patients but will reduce demand on ambulances and ambulance officers and provide facilities for RFDS pilots and nurses during after-hours times when the airport facilities are closed.

The collaborative efforts of Russell Postle (past Chairman of the RFDS), Kerry Hayes, (Mayor of the Central Highlands Regional Council), the Manager of Emerald Airport and the Rotary Club of Emerald have been instrumental in project planning and seeking funding for this essential facility.

Initially the Central Highlands Regional Council explored leasing a house at the airport to the RFDS, but unfortunately this did not align with the airport’s long term plan. The project team identified three key components in the Royal Flying Doctor Service Emerald Airport Transfer Hub:

1. Establishing a building to hold a patient or provide RFDS personnel with comfort facilities.
2. To erect a hangar for the RFDS plane to park so that the patient transfer can be completed out of the inclement weather, heat, and rain.
3. Aircraft taxiway upgrade to the standard required for the RFDS planes.

The following milestones have been achieved:

• Building Construction: The RFDS have estimated the building costs and successfully secured a $650,000 grant from the Resource Community Infrastructure Fund. This funding will be used for the building construction and connection of essential services. The construction of this building, which meets both RFDS standards.
• Land Allocation and Lease Agreement: The Central Highlands Regional Council has generously allocated the required land for this project and signed a Lease Agreement with the RFDS.
• Taxiway and Airport Upgrade: The CHRC have completed costings of the upgrade of the Emerald Airport and the taxiway leading to the hangar, with an estimated cost of approximately $6 million. In August 2023 the CHRC applied for a grant from the Queensland Government to facilitate the upgrade and we are pleased to report that this grant was approved in late January 2024.
• Hangar and Floor Costs: The expected cost to acquire and erect the hangar as well as cementing the hangar floor is approximately $600,000. We are awaiting quotes to enable us to move forward on this crucial part of the project.

Community Engagement and Fundraising: In June 2021, the Rotary Club of Emerald engaged the Central Highlands community, seeking their support for the project’s vital components, including the acquisition and erection of the hangar, and the laying of the cement floor. The Rotary Club of Emerald embarked on an extensive fundraising initiative, conducting numerous raffles, managing events for local community groups and garnering support from various community-based organisations, local businesses and individuals and key supporters include Mitre 10, Kestrel Coal, participants of the RFDS Air Race, Comet Riviera Ball, Lochington School Cricket Day, Emerald Jockey Club and numerous other individuals and community groups.

A heartfelt thank you is owed to the individuals, businesses and groups that have generously donated directly to the cause. Special gratitude extends to Rotarians, Rotarian partners and numerous community members who have gone above and beyond, contributing their time and effort by selling raffle tickets, manning the BBQ, and providing invaluable support in many ways.

We are proud to announce that our collective efforts have raised more than $380,000 to date. This is a remarkable achievement that would not have been possible without the dedication and support of each and every contributor. A sincere thankyou to everyone who has played a part in this success. We are truly thankful for your support.

Where to from here? Here are the key developments in the pipeline:

• The construction of the building is nearing completion.
• Engineers are scheduled to peg the site in early March 2024.
• Building approvals are in progress and expected to be secured in the coming months.
• Finalising the costing for the hangar and cement slab should be completed in the next two months.
• CHRC have indicated that the taxiway will be completed in the 2024/25 financial year.
• Construction of the Hangar and the on-site installation of the building will commence as soon as the necessary approvals are in place.

In our ongoing commitment to the project, the Rotary Club of Emerald will continue our fundraising to meet the target of $600,000. This is a worthy project with long lasting significance and benefits for the community. It is sparking community conversation and garnering widespread support. Rotary members have received positive feedback and been commended for our initiative and effort in getting the project off the ground. The symbolism of the Rotary Wheel with many teeth, resonates with our project, embodying the collaborative efforts of the community helping Rotary to enhance facilities and services. Beyond the immediate benefits, as the facility takes shape, there is the potential to attract additional users which will further enrich and benefit the Community. For those inspired to contribute to our cause we invite inquiries and encourage involvement. Rotary Clubs, organisation or individuals keen to support this project please contact Rotary Club of Emerald member and project coordinator Derek Mayne for additional information.