Budget delivers for Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay fire and emergency services

Published Friday, 21 June, 2019 at 03:36 PM

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Craig Crawford

The Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay region have had a bumper win in the Palaszczuk Government’s 2019-20 State Budget.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the regions would reap the rewards of a multimillion dollar spend on vital projects, including new fire stations to boost frontline services, generate jobs and keep residents and visitors safe.

“These investments are another important step for the future of these regions and will ensure our communities receive the critical services they deserve,” Mr Crawford said.

“They are part of a record $740 million state-wide Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Budget that will provide frontline emergency services with the facilities and equipment needed to protect Queensland communities.

“The 2019-2020 Budget will deliver $2.1 million to continue work on the replacement QFES complex at Maleny and to complete the replacement of the QFES complex at Kilkivan.

“Maleny will be the new home for the Rural Fire Service (RFS), State Emergency Service (SES) and Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) personnel.

“The new Kilkivan complex will have truck bays and be a base for SES, RFS and FRS to work from as they get on with the important job of keeping people safe.”

Mr Crawford said the Budget investment would extend to Rainbow Beach, where work was underway to deliver a new $2 million facility to house auxiliary FRS firefighters and SES.

“The complex is in the design stage, but land has been purchased and work will be ready to move ahead with the $200,000 committed in the Budget for 2019-2020.

“The new fire station will replace the old facility and recognises the growth in this area and Wide Bay in general.”

Mr Crawford said the 2019-20 Budget also had the final $1.35 million investment to complete the replacement auxiliary FRS station at Yarraman, bringing the project’s total value to $1.5 million.

“We’ve got a site for this project and the design is underway,” Mr Crawford said.

“This station will help the community prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from the impact of fire and emergency events.”

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ENDS