Hollywell Fire Station upgrade boosts Gold Coast safety

A $524,000 upgrade of the Hollywell Queensland Fire and Rescue Service station on the Gold Coast was officially opened today.

Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft and Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the station extensions and refurbishment would strengthen the capacity of local firefighters to respond to calls for assistance.

“This refurbished Fire Station, and the modern fire appliance housed within it, essentially locals and tourists alike can be confident that they have a professional facility from which firefighters can respond efficiently to emergencies,” Ms Croft said.

“Hollywell Fire Station belongs to one of the busiest regions in Queensland. Officers from the Station attend to approximately 500 calls for assistance each year,” Ms Croft said.

“The Station responds not only to fires, but road accidents, other rescues and hazardous materials incidents”

Since its establishment in 1980, the Hollywell station has shared responsibility for servicing a static population which can exceed approximately 1 million people in holiday season

Mr Roberts said the Gold Coast area was particularly busy because of the many national and international tourists who visit here each year, including last weekend’s Indy Carnival.

“One of the biggest risks for the Gold Coast is high-rise residential and tourist accommodation,” Mr Roberts said.

“Unlike high-rise office buildings in Brisbane, which have their peak occupancy during business hours only, here in Hollywell the majority of high rises are where people live 24-hours-a-day.”

“Therefore maintaining a high level of fire safety in these apartments is a priority for Gold Coast firefighters.”

“The Queensland Government’s investment of $524,000 in the extensions and refurbishment of the Hollywell Station is an investment in the fire safety of the local area for residents and visitors.”

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 07 3247 8194, 0418 197 350

Brendan Connell 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976