New station for Beechmont Rural Fire Brigade

A new $120,000 station for the Beechmont Rural Fire Brigade in the Gold Coast hinterland was officially opened by Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts today.

Mr Roberts said the Brigade was established in 1969 and it provides a valuable service to the local community.

The Brigade’s current membership comprises 23 firefighters, 13 trainee firefighters and 15 support members.

Mr Roberts said the construction of the new station was a tribute to the volunteers of the Brigade and others who have given their support to the project.

“The station was built at a cost of $120,000. The Queensland Government contributed $10,000 through the Department of Emergency Services, while Beaudesert Shire Council also provided financial support,” Mr Roberts said.

“However, much of the funding was raised locally with sausage sizzles, local balls, luncheons and raffles.”

Mr Roberts said he paid tribute to the Brigade volunteers for their dedication.

“To me, the invitation to help officially open the new Rural Fire Brigade station is an invitation to meet the people who justify its existence,” Mr Roberts said.

“There would be no reason for the station being here if it wasn’t for the volunteers who are dedicated to protect people and property from fire.”

“The local community can be confident that the event of fire there are highly-trained people ready to act quickly and professionally to save lives and property.”

Beechmont is a unique area with large tracts of rural land and pockets of rural residential development. The southern boundary is the Lamington National Park, the eastern escarpment borders in part with the Hinze Dam reserve and the Northern boundary is shared with the Land Warfare Centre and the Gold Coast City Council boundary.

1 December 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350