Lifesaving Central Queensland rescue services to go to tender

In short:

The state government is seeking to have only one helicopter rescue service covering Rockhampton and Mackay.

A Queensland Health pre-release tender notice says it is looking for "value for money" for hospital transfers, search and rescue, and law enforcement.

What's next?

A tender will be released in the coming months.

Rescue helicopter services in central Queensland face an uncertain future as the state government seeks a single provider in Mackay and Rockhampton.

The community-funded CQ Rescue in Mackay and Capricorn Rescue in Rockhampton provide emergency care to a combined population of about 485,000.

Both services were founded by their communities through donations, sponsorships, and fundraising events, along with state government contributions.

The Rockhampton service flew 633 missions in 2024–25 with Mackay reporting 788 flights in the 2025 calendar year.

According to a pre-tender document, the government was now seeking a single operator to provide emergency helicopter services for the entire central Queensland region.

The document noted the goal of the tender was "achieving value for Queensland and taxpayers' money and ensuring fair and open competition".

The successful group would be expected to provide aeromedical patient transport, search-and-rescue services and support law enforcement and other government agencies as required.

Queensland Health and Ambulance Service declined to comment.

'A local drive'

Both services took their first flights 30 years ago.

CQ Rescue director and Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said moves to start a rescue helicopter began in 1992 after a run of road crashes.

"A couple of Mackay doctors recognised the fact that we really needed to have a helicopter rescue service," Cr Williamson said.

"Those two guys persuaded us to gather all of the community leaders … it was really just a local drive.

"There have been lots and lots of lives saved."

Cr Williamson said he supported a single contract but wanted the rescue services to remain locally controlled.

"Both Rockhampton and Mackay, we want to keep it local, and we're prepared to work with each other to do that," he said.

"I would hate to see some large organisation, national or otherwise, come in and take it over."

The combined operating costs for both services was more than $40 million in 2025, of which about $25 million came from the Queensland government.

'A god from the skies'

Mirani MP Glen Kelly said there was no risk of the helicopter rescue service being wound down.

"Without it, the bush would be buggered, because that's our ambulance," he said.

"They're a god from the skies."

Whitsundays mother Tess Salmond credits CQ Rescue and Proserpine Hospital staff for saving the life of her seven-year-old son, Peter, last April.

He was flown to the Townsville University Hospital's paediatric intensive care unit when a viral infection affected his breathing."It all escalated very, very fast, as often these things do unfold," Dr Salmond said.

"We were literally in the air within about half an hour to Townsville.

"Proserpine to Townsville in under 45 minutes for a child that can't breathe felt like a lifetime, but I was just so incredibly grateful that was available to us."