New Wishart fire station opened

Brisbane’s southern suburbs have a new, state-of-the-art fire station with the official opening today of the Wishart Fire and Rescue station.

The station, which was built at a cost of $2.9 million, was opened by Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell, the State Member for Mansfield Phil Reeves and the State Member for Mt Gravatt Judy Spence.

The Wishart station is a replacement for the former Mt Gravatt station, which was built in 1955.

Mr Purcell said the station would provide firefighters with a modern, purpose-built facility. It has staff facilities such as a kitchen, locker room and a gym, offices, a large turn-out room for storing equipment, and two bays for fire trucks.

“The Beattie Government is committed to providing the State’s firefighters with the best facilities, training and equipment possible.

“This financial year the Beattie Government allocated $36.9 million for capital works for the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, including $10.6 million for new and upgraded fire stations around the State,” Mr Purcell said.

Mr Reeves and Ms Spence said the new station was a boost for residents and businesses in the Mansfield, Mount Gravatt East, MountGravatt, Upper Mount Gravatt, Wishart and HollandPark areas.

"I have been watching this project from the beginning - attending community meetings, listening to residents and I am very proud to be here today,” Mr Reeves said.

"Firefighters at the station respond to an average of almost 1000 emergency incidents a year.

"This is in addition to carrying out building inspections, Safe Home visits to provide fire safety advice to residents, and delivering Fire-Ed classes to school children.

“This new fire station is a real community asset. Response times will be much quicker from this new central location. The local residents can only benefit,” Mr Reeves said.

Ms Spence said she was pleased that local firefighters now had a modern premises with up-to-date facilities.

“Our firefighters do a great job helping to keep the community safe, and especially coming into summer it is important that they have the resources they need for their job,” Ms Spence said.

“The role of today’s firefighters has changed markedly since the former station was built in 1955, and this new building is designed to better support them in their role.”

Media contacts: Tim Shipstone 07 3247 8194, 0409 620 571;
Daniel Landon 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976.