SPRINGWOOD MP Mick de Brenni announced this morning the Mount Cotton Fire Station will get full time firefighters and bushfire fighting capacity.
Mr de Brenni said a re-elected Palaszczuk government will deliver this as part of the economic recovery of Queensland from COVID-19.
Earlier this year a rural fire brigade servicing the Redlands mainland was given the green light after more than five years of campaigning.
It was originally decided the brigade would focus on fire mitigation and education with fire response to be provided by firefighters at urban stations.
"I've worked closely with the Mt Cotton community on the need for bolstered firefighting capability... the new fully operational fire station will boost firefighter numbers and emergency firefighting response times across Redlands, Daisy Hill and Venman National Parks," Mr de Brenni said.
The fire station will be staffed by a specialist fire rescue bushfire response team, with off road trucks operating out of the station 24/7.
Mr de Brenni said the $12.2 million station would be complemented with an off-road fire-fighting truck and its construction would prepare for future growth in the region.
"Locals will be fully protected for everything from house fires, to factory and bush fires as well as having access to the world's best emergency rescue personnel.
"We're making plans now to increase Queensland's firefighting capacity into the future to protect our homes and koala habitat," he said.
United Firefighters Union Queensland secretary John Oliver said quick response times saved lives and having a fully operational fire station in Mount Cotton meant more fire fighters and more firefighting equipment.
Mount Cotton resident Lochlan Patterson said this was something that he and his family would appreciate.
"It's been a tough year all round and knowing that a local fire station is on its way is definitely welcome news," he said.
Last month, Springwood LNP candidate Kirrily Boulton pledged $500,000 to back the Mount Cotton fire brigade.
"I will ensure the communities of Mount Cotton, Shailer Park and Daisy Hill have a trained and ready volunteer fire brigade, who can do exactly what they signed up for, and that is protect our communities from bushfire," she said.
