Emergency markers installed on Castle Hill
Date published: 19 June 2017
A partnership between Rotary Club of Townsville Sunrise and Townsville City Council will benefit walkers and runners on Castle Hill.
Emergency markers have been installed along popular walking tracks that will aid those calling for assistance to identify their location and improve the ability for emergency services to quickly locate an injured person.
The project is part of a wider funding arrangement worth more than $70,000 which will also see an upgrade to Kirwan’s Thuringowa Friendship Park.
Markers will be installed 100m apart along Castle Hill Road and the Cudtheringa, Goat, Dianella, Iron Bark and West Ridge tracks.
Infrastructure Committee chair Cr Mark Molachino said the emergency markers would be a great benefit to hill users.
“This has been a very successful project in partnership with Rotary Club of Townsville Sunrise to make exercising on Castle Hill safer for users,” Cr Molachino said.
“Council staff have been working with Rotary on the design and installation of the markers and we greatly appreciate the support of Rotary to see this project come to fruition.”
Rotary Club of Townsville Sunrise president Paul Ryan said the club was very willing to partner with council on this potentially lifesaving project.
“Being able to communicate an injured person’s location accurately can only ensure a quicker response from emergency services,” Mr Ryan said.
“Unfortunately in the past wrong or inaccurate information has delayed our emergency services from reaching the injured so these markers will go a long way to avoiding this.”
Townsville QAS Assistant Commissioner Mr Robbie Medlin said Queensland Ambulance Service was very supportive of this community safety initiative.
“Any information that is going to assist QAS in getting to injured or ill walkers and runners on Castle Hill is extremely helpful,” Mr Medlin said.
He urged walkers and runners to always be mindful of their immediate surrounds and to make a habit of being aware of distinguishing markers or landmarks that would assist in getting help to the sick or injured as quickly as possible.
