Rural fire service station opens at Amity Point

A shed at Amity Point, which has space for two firefighting units, amenities, a support vehicle and equipment, was officially opened yesterday.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford, who visited Straddie on Wednesday, January 10 for the opening, said he believed the station was a significant achievement for the island’s community.

“I congratulate all involved in this project and thank them for their commitment and effort,” he said. 

“They should all be proud.”

The station is set up near the Amity Point Auxiliary Fire and Rescue station at Hexton Street.

While state government contributed $110,000 for the shed, funds for the service’s replacement support vehicle were raised by volunteers.

First officer Allan Chaplin said he wanted to thank Oldmac Mazda for slashing $8000 from the price of the second-hand car and donating the anti-corrosive.

He said the vehicle would be used to take crew to back-burning jobs and bushfires.

The island’s rural fire service was set up in 2014 after more than 60 per cent of the island was ravaged by bushfire earlier that year.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the project highlighted the commitment of all those involved and urged young Quandamooka people to sign-up.

“This has been a community-driven project from the outset,” she said.

Ms Carroll said local rangers were invited to paint to a mural on the building and decorate a soon-to-arrive refurbished fire truck.

For more about the rural fire service, visit ruralfire.qld.gov.au.