Whetstone Rural Fire Brigade Opens New Station

• The Crisafulli Government has delivered a new $930,000 rural fire station opens in Inglewood, in south western Queensland.
• Whetstone Rural Fire Brigade station is a significant investment in the safety of growing regional communities.
• The station features three engine bays, a turn-out room and modern training and meeting rooms.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Queensland's Rural Fire Volunteers after they were neglected during Labor's decade of decline.

The Crisafulli Government has officially opened a new fire station for the Whetstone Rural Fire Brigade, providing volunteer members with the latest frontline technology to ensure the brigade can effectively serve the community for years to come.

The new station includes three engine bays, modern training and meeting spaces, and improved amenities for members, supporting both operational response and brigade wellbeing.

Under the former Labor Government our Rural Fire Volunteers were neglected, which lead to their volunteer numbers plummeting and fleet aging rapidly.

The Crisafulli Government have re-empowered our Rural Fire Volunteers by removing red tape, investing in their facilities and appliances, with numbers are starting to increase after Labor's decade of decline.

The growing brigade, which was recently upgraded from a Primary Producer Brigade to a Rural Fire Brigade, is one of 55 in the Warwick Area, which is comprised of more than 1,200 volunteers.

The station provides a modern, completely off-grid powered facility featuring three engine bays, a turn-out room, cleaning room and amenities. It also features a dedicated space for meetings and training fit-out with the latest audio and visual technology.

Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers Ann Leahy said the new station represented a significant investment in community safety and volunteer support.

"Our rural fire brigades are the backbone of fire response across regional Queensland," Minister Leahy said.

"The new Whetstone Rural Fire Brigade station provides modern, fit-for-purpose facilities that will strengthen operational readiness and ensure volunteers have the infrastructure they need to respond safely and effectively."

Member for Southern Downs James Lister said the project reflects the Crisafulli Government's ongoing commitment to supporting Queensland's rural fire volunteers.

"Our volunteers give their time selflessly to protect lives, property and the environment. It is only right that we invest in facilities that support their dedication and professionalism," Mr Lister said.

RFSQ Deputy Chief Officer Matt Inwood said the brigade has been kept busy in recent months, delivering rapid response to bushfires and other emergencies.

"Over the coming months this area typically experiences heightened bushfire risk so this station comes at the perfect time to support our volunteers to train, respond and provide assistance to the community," DCO Inwood said.

"Our mitigation activities have begun to ramp up across the region but bushfire preparation is a community effort, so it's important residents and landholders ensure their bushfire preparation is also on track.