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Work starts on fire and ambulance stations refurbishments |
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| Posted by editor (editor) on Feb 17 2009 |
| 2009 >> |
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts has today visited the Gold Coast to mark the start of work on the refurbishment of the Southport fire and rescue and Burleigh Heads ambulance stations. Mr Roberts said the two projects, with a combined total cost of more than $6.8 million, demonstrated the Bligh Government’s strong commitment to emergency services on the Gold Coast. 
“The $5.5 million Southport project and $1.3 million Burleigh Heads refurbishment will ensure that both stations are able to meet future need in the Gold Coast area,” Mr Roberts said. “It also provides employment opportunities for local builders and other tradespeople from the region, which is vital at these times of rising unemployment.” Mr Roberts said the refurbishment of the Southport Fire and Rescue station was forecast for completion by the end of the year, while the Burleigh Heads Ambulance station should be complete by the end of July. Member for Southport Peter Lawlor said the refurbishment would breathe new life into the current station, which was built in 1977. He said it would also enhance the great work done by the firefighters based at the station. “There are currently 32 committed and dedicated officers based at Southport who work to protect the area from Labrador to northern Surfers Paradise, including Nerang and Mount Nathan,” Mr Lawlor said. “In 2007-08 Southport Fire and Rescue responded to more than 1,900 incidents and to-date this financial year another 1,140. “Refurbishing this station will provide the space and facilities need to respond to increased demand in the future.” 
Member for Burleigh Christine Smith said the Gold Coast’s population had the potential to double during peak tourist season and the refurbished ambulance station at Burleigh Heads would help officers respond to increasing demand. “Burleigh Heads ambulance station operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the 17 staff who are based there do a great job in responding to the needs of the area,” Mrs Smith said. “Last year the station responded to more than 6,800 code one and two incidents, which is an average of 18 a day - a tremendous effort on their part.” Mr Roberts also congratulated Gold Coast ambulance and fire officers for their efforts in making Queensland’s ambulance and fire response times among the best in Australia. “Queensland ambulance’s response time for the 50th percentile is more than a minute better than the national average of 9.55 minutes and 1.5 minutes better New South Wales’ time of 9.9 minutes,” Mr Roberts said. “In 90% of code one cases, a Queensland ambulance was on the scene within 16.7 minutes, much better than the national average of 18.75 minutes and New South Wales’ 19.9 minutes. “The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service’s response times for both the 50th and 90th percentile – 6.8 minutes and 12.8 minutes respectively – both showed decreases on the previous year and were on par or better than the national average (7.08 minutes and 12.85 minutes respectively).” Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 11:26 AM
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