THE PAINT had barely dried when QFES showed off its new fire station, in Cannonvale, this morning (Thursday, September 19, 2024).
The official opening ceremony was attended by about 50 family members and friends, as well as Amanda Camm MP, Councillor Gary Simpson, council staff, members of the Queensland Police Service, PCYC representatives and serving firefighters.
The new station replaces the now-closed Airlie Beach Fire Station, in Jubilee Pocket.
All 34 station personnel made the move across town, on Monday, including 14 full-time firefighters and 20 auxiliary firefighters, as well as all the equipment and fire trucks.
Crews at the new fire station will attend incidents all the way from Shute Harbour to Proserpine, assisting Proserpine Fire & Rescue when required.
First to speak at the Opening Ceremony was Airlie Beach Fire & Rescue Station Officer Rees May.
“Today, we are gathered here to celebrate a remarkable achievement,” he said.
“The new Airlie Beach Fire & Rescue station embodies our commitment to community safety and emergency response.
“We would like to thank everybody who played a part in bringing this vision to life – it is testament to our commitment to protecting our community.”
Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Neil then took the podium, saying he had ‘just inherited’ Airlie Beach.
“I would like to acknowledge the local QFES team and everyone who helped to get this station off the ground,” he said.
Mackay Zone Commander, Acting Superintendent Sven Diga, thanked the families, friends and community members present.
“Family, friends and community members – thanks for coming down today to help us open the station,” he said.
Councillor Gary Simpson said it was good to see ‘a good roll up’.
“The new station is a symbol of safety and community protection,” he said.
“The men and women of QFES do an outstanding job, often putting their lives on the line.
“Airlie Beach and Cannonvale is a fast growing area – there’s a need for more infrastructure and better resources to tackle fires, road accidents and natural disasters.
“This investment in a new station is an investment in the safety and wellbeing of our community.”
A commemorative plaque was then unveiled to mark the occasion.
Following this, an awards ceremony took place, presided over by Mackay Zone Commander, Acting Superintendent Sven Diga, with the awards handed out to fire service personnel by Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Neil.
Following the ceremonies, refreshments were available and tours of the new building were on offer.
The state-of-the-art station includes an incident control centre, as well as meeting rooms, training facilities, storage areas, a locker/changing room, kitchen facilities and a gym.
The new fire station has not been without its controversy, with local residents in the vicinity objecting to it on the grounds of noise and disturbance, when it was first mooted two years ago.
