NORTH Stradbroke Island residents have thrown their support behind the creation of a local Rural Fire Brigade.
A gathering of locals voted unanimously in favour of the establishment of a brigade at Dunwich Public Hall on Saturday.
Amity Point’s Barry Hoare chaired the meeting with Assistant Minister for Emergency Volunteers Ted Malone, Rural Fire Service Queensland District Inspector Neil Kelso, Emergency Volunteers Deputy Commissioner Bryan Cifuentes and Cleveland MP Mark Robinson.
While Straddie has auxillary firefighters and equipment at the three villages, it does not have a dedicated rural force to deal with bushfires and conduct controlled burns.
The push for a local brigade was renewed after the January bushfires that devastated more than two-thirds of the island.
Mr Malone stressed throughout the meeting that a grassroots campaign was necessary to secure a local volunteer brigade.
He said the government could provide support, but that the success of a brigade largely depended on the commitment of locals.
The panellists fielded questions about cost, numbers, training and the level of cooperation required with landowners, the Quandamooka native title holders and the Department of Natural Resources and Mines.
It is not yet known when the brigade will be launched, but a recruitment form was available at the end of the meeting for interested residents to sign.
Mr Robinson said he was happy with the outcome and would do what he could to help the brigade become operational.