Minister thanks Mackay communities for bushfire efforts

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Minister Craig Crawford has visited the Central Queensland towns of Finch-Hatton and Bloomsbury to thank emergency services personnel and the communities for their dedication in fighting the 2018 bushfires.

Mr Crawford said that, as a former volunteer firefighter for more than two decades, he appreciated the commitment from QFES staff and volunteers, including the Rural Fire Service, the State Emergency Service and Queensland’s urban firefighters who helped keep Queenslanders safe.

“These were unprecedented fires coming off the back of weather conditions that included high temperatures, low humidity and hot, gusty winds,” he said.

“You have endured floods and fires and, as a community, we are working with you to ensure that the Palaszczuk Government is doing everything we can to ensure Queenslanders affected by these extreme events become stronger and more resilient than ever.

“You are our boots on the grounds, the hearts of our communities and the people who bind us together.

“For two weeks in November and December last year, we battled more than 1000 fires across the State for 24 hours a day.

“Many of you left your own homes and families to do so and I can’t thank you enough.”

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson welcomed Mr Crawford to the Mackay region.

“The unprecedented bushfire crisis was a traumatic event for some of the smaller communities in our region, including Finch Hatton and Bloomsbury, which were visited by the Minister,” Cr Williamson said.

“The resilience of those communities during the bushfires was remarkable and the role of emergency services in assisting landholders and rural firefighters was invaluable,” he said.

“We, as a council, hosted thank-you events at Sarina Beach, Finch Hatton and Bloomsbury to help recognise the extraordinary efforts of all involved.”

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