Plans are progressing for a stand-alone Auxiliary Fire and Rescue Station at Rosewood that will provide firefighters with the modern facilities they need to continue delivering a first-rate service to their local community.
Minister for Fire and Emergency Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Craig Crawford said The Palaszczuk Government is delivering its plan to Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs.
"A key part of that is supporting tradition industries like infrastructure," Mr Crawford said.
"Infrastructure like this Auxiliary Fire Station has delivered jobs for Queenslanders and we have a $50 billion infrastructure guarantee to deliver even more infrastructure and support more jobs.
"The funding for this project is part of a record QFES budget that centred on delivering new facilities, vehicles and support to frontline firefighters and emergency service personnel," he said.
Member for Ipswich West, Jim Madden, who visited the site today, said the existing facility shared with the Queensland Ambulance Services (QAS) had become too small for both services due to an increase in demand in the area and Rosewood QAS transitioning to 24/7 capability.
"This new $2 million station will enable Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) members to better prepare for, and respond to, incidents and disasters in the area," Mr Madden said.
Mr Crawford said the station, which has 14 QFES personnel, will continue to service the area in between Ipswich, Marburg, Laidley and Harrisville.
"The station is a welcome and necessary upgrade for the region, with the tender release for principal consultant expected in August this year, while the tender release for construction expected in January 2021. The completion of the facility is expected around August next year.
"QFES firefighters in rural communities provide assistance and support in a wide range of incidents including road crash rescues, grass and wildfires, as well as structural fires.
"Rosewood firefighters have responded to 109 incidents since July 2019 including 62 as first responders.
"The new station will provide firefighters a modern and functional base from which they can continue to deliver the high standard of service their communities rely on.
"The community can feel at ease knowing their local firefighters are well-equipped and ready to assist," Mr Crawford said.
QFES is consulting all stakeholders on the concept plans for the new station, which is due for completion in August 2021.
