Airlie Beach Fire Station up for debate with new designation pending
The Airlie Beach Fire Station designation is yet to be finalised, with both the QFES and residents weighing in on the debate. Here’s the latest.
Community News
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More than 150 residents concerned about the impact on property prices and noise in their area are rallying against a proposed new fire station in the Whitsunday region.
In an attempt to pacify residents, Airlie Beach Fire Station hosted an open day on Saturday to engage the public in discussions about the stations recently contested relocation submission.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Central Region regional operations director Clint Tunnie addressed claims of “a lack of consultation” stating the support of the community was essential to the outcome of the relocation.
“We are in the consultation phase currently and the Open Day provides the opportunity to speak to us about the potential new station going up,” Mr Tunnie said.
“Whenever we put a fire station in a community we want to make sure that the services we provide meet the community needs, but more importantly are fully embedded into the community.”
Currently situated in Mandalay, the station is set to move to 2-6 Banksia Court, Cannonvale with residents wanting it built further out of town.
According to Mr Tunnie, the new site was chosen to better support the Airlie Beach area based on the type and number of calls received.
“The decision we made with selecting the site is not built on emotion,” he said.
“It is built on data assist – information provided telling us these are the jobs that the Fire and Rescue Team respond to throughout the year.”
The upgraded station would include a training pad, dedicated emergency vehicle access, three bay engine room, parking for 15 cars and facilities to accommodate 11 permanent fire fighters and up to 20 auxiliaries.
According to Cannonvale resident Phil Smailes, who has opposed the proposal since April, if built, the station would lower property prices.
“Who wants to buy a house in front of a fire station,” Mr Smailes said.
“The residents here and people up on the hill don’t want to hear the noise and have to look at it as well.”
“There is no reason why it can’t go in the industrial zone on the other side of Centro.
“It’s only another minute out of town to keep it out of a residential area.”
Mr Smailes believes the proposed site would be better suited to community housing.
“It’s zoned low-medium density residential and they have to now turn it around and have it rescinded to become industrial land,” he said.
He also believes that the site would not be risk proofing the area into the future.
“In Australia we always play catch up and 20 years down the track when this place has 45,000 people in it, they’ll have to build it again.”
More than 150 residents have signed a petition against the proposed site, with public submissions to close November 21.
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