The State Budget is to include funding for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to purchase a substantial land holding in Bundaberg.
In a statement, the Department said the funding would allow it to acquire land now, so that it had an appropriate site for Fire and Emergency Services infrastructure the Bundaberg community would need in coming years.
“The exact nature of the facilities will be determined based on what future growth in Bundaberg looks like. Detailed consultation with the community and key stakeholders will be undertaken as part of this process,” the Department said.
“It is envisaged at this early stage that the site could be used to accommodate co-located emergency services capabilities such as the State Emergency Service and an additional Fire and Rescue Service facility for Bundaberg.”
Minister for Emergency Services, Mark Ryan said the State’s population was surging on the back of its strong economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A growing population also brings various challenges and it means we must plan now for that future growth,” Mr Ryan said.
“It is eminently sensible for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to look to the future, and prepare for that future, by acquiring a site that will provide an appropriate location for the expanded emergency response capabilities a growing Bundaberg region will need in the years ahead,” he said.
