A new $8.6 million combined police and fire station was today officially opened in the Wide Bay-Burnett region, creating an emergency services hub and underscoring the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to keeping Queenslanders safe.
The centre was officially handed over to the community of Howard by Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders, Police and Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford, Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Katarina Carroll and Police Commissioner Ian Stewart.
Mr Saunders was a strong advocate for the new facility and said it demonstrated the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to regional Queensland and supported almost 30 jobs during its construction phase.
“Facilities such as this are concrete examples of our Government’s determination to deliver front line services to Queenslanders in every corner of the state,” Mr Saunders said.
“I argued strongly for the new Howard Police Station and Fire and Emergency Services Complex and it’s great to see it in operation.”
Mr Ryan said the Howard Police Station and Fire and Emergency Services Complex would provide state-of-the-art services for the town’s community.
“From a policing perspective, this complex will ensure QPS members continue to provide excellent policing services to this community,” he said.
“I would like to thank all of those involved in this project, especially the QPS members of Howard, who work tirelessly to keep the community safe.”
Mr Crawford said the complex, which houses the Rural Fire Services and the State Emergency Service along with the Queensland Police Service, would boost the capacity of emergency services personnel to help residents during times of need.
“This area is no stranger to disasters and emergencies, such as the major flood that hit this community in 2013,” he said.
“Having these crucial services together means there is greater capacity to respond to emergency situations as they arise.”
Commissioner Stewart said the new police station was both a continuation of the history of service the QPS had offered the community since the early 1880s, and a positive step into the future as a world-class complex.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise the work our police officers do here in Howard to continually make this part of the state a safe and wonderful place to be.”
During the complex opening, Howard Torbanlea Rural Fire Brigade also received a new $90,000 Ford Ranger Light Attack vehicle and a $190,000 Isuzu Medium Attack fire truck.
Commissioner Carroll said the new vehicles were equipped with high-tech firefighting equipment that had already been used in the recent extreme wildfire events.
“The vehicles have upgraded capacity to carry more firefighters to incidents and more water on board for when it’s needed most,” Ms Carroll said.
“This new complex and vehicles will bolster our capacity to respond to emergencies and disasters.”
