Construction is underway for a multi-million-dollar upgrade to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) precinct at Charlton.
Work started on the new $16.9 million Charlton Fire and Rescue Station and regional headquarters in February.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the new facility near the airport on Steger Road, would create more than 50 full-time jobs for the region.
"The Palaszczuk Government is starting to deliver Queensland's plan to Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs," Mr Crawford said.
"A key part of that is supporting tradition industries like infrastructure.
"Infrastructure like this fire station has delivered jobs for Queenslanders and we have a $50 billion infrastructure guarantee to deliver even more infrastructure and support more jobs.
"This will be a huge boost not only for the region's emergency services, but also for the community.
"It is wonderful we are able create jobs at a local level whilst building a world-class facility to house the region's first responders for years to come.
"Having the regional headquarters and Fire and Rescue Station under the same roof will enhance the region's emergency response while also meeting the future needs of the community. It means our local crews will be able to keep up with the growing demands of the job," he said.
The regional headquarters will accommodate personnel from the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), Rural Fire Service (RFS) and State Emergency Service (SES).
Mr Crawford said the final design of the new facility would be carefully considered to ensure it benefitted all three services.
"QFES takes a wholistic approach when responding to disasters such as bushfires, floods and other critical incidents, so it is important for all of our services to be united in their response," he said.
"The new facility is in an ideal location, close to the centre of town and at the junction of major roads and highways which will allow crews to respond rapidly to all types of incidents across the area.
"South west Queensland was no stranger to natural disasters. The region was heavily affected last bushfire season, particularly in Stanthorpe, Millmerran, Pechey and Swanfels. Earlier this year there was significant flooding in Jandowae and more recently St George.
"The Charlton-based regional headquarters will service the entire South West Region from Toowoomba to the South Australia and New South Wales borders," Mr Crawford said.
McNab Managing Director, Michael McNab, said his company was excited to be involved in this project, that would be a major boost to the local economy.
"We expect to have around 80 staff and subcontractors onsite at peak times, with up to 300 people working on the project over the next six months," Mr McNab said.
"The vast majority of these workers will be local to Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, so this project will create an impressive injection into the local economy and construction industry.
"We have great talent here locally, and have enjoyed developing excellent partnerships with the best in the business since we opened our doors in Toowoomba 25 years ago," he said.
Construction is scheduled to be finished by the end of the year.
