$1.3m station excites firies

AGNES Water firefighters are thrilled with confirmation a new fire station is to be built by the end of the year.

AGNES Water firefighters are thrilled with confirmation a new fire station is to be built by the end of the year.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts yesterday announced a tender for the $1.3 million project had been awarded to Queensland-based firm G & K Lawson Constructions.

Agnes Water Auxiliary Fire Brigade captain Ian Birbeck said the new station had been on the drawing board for more than five years.

“We are absolutely elated with the news that it is going ahead. The entire crew is most excited,” he said.

QFRS Assistant Commissioner Neil Gallant said the new station would enhance fire and rescue services in the local area.

“Ten auxiliary firefighters will operate from the new station and the Agnes Water Rural Fire Brigade will also be based there, giving the area a more co-ordinated local presence,” he said.

“The station will house one urban fire vehicle fitted with road accident rescue equipment as well as two rural firefighting vehicles.”

Mr Birbeck said he was looking forward to moving from the current cramped quarters.

“We’ve been in the same building as the SES and Rural Fire Brigade as well so it’s been quite tight,” he said.

“We are really looking forward to having the room to carry out training and being in a more suitable locality for response.”

The land was donated to the fire service by a local developer, Dan Murphy.

Mr Birbeck said the donation had made the passage forward much easier.

The design for the station has now begun with construction expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Originally published as $1.3m station excites firies