Revealed: Where North Lakes' new fire station will be built

The site selected for North Lakes' first fire station has been unveiled. 

It will be constructed on a block covering almost 5000sq m in Steel St, off Boundary Rd.

The land was pinpointed by Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES), with access to major roads being a key factor.

Mark Ryan, the Minister for Fire and Emergency Services and State Member for Morayfield, said the process had been “scientific” and location gave “best response to calls for service”.

Happy day

State Member for Bancroft Chris Whiting described it as a “happy day, when you can see the community is going to be made even safer.”

Laurence Christie, president of Mango Hill Progress Association (MHPA), added: “When you have members who have experienced a fire beside them, this becomes very important.”

Mr Ryan paid tribute to MHPA saying it had been a “strong advocate” and he was “pleased the State Government had been able to support the fire service in the purchase of the land.

“A lot of mapping is done about where stations need to be and the QFES determined this location gives the best responses to particular calls for service,” he said.

Good access

“Given most calls for service in this area are for traffic accidents, this provides good access to all the main roads so fire fighters can be on site as soon as possible.

“Over next 12 months we will go through design process, planning approvals and then make further announcements about construction timelines.

“This is an important project for the fire service, so we’ll be looking to move things along as quickly as possible.”

QFES Chief Superintendent Kevin Reading, said the new fire station would make a “huge difference” to the service in this area.

Good coverage

“Mango Hill and North Lakes traditionally has coverage from other fire stations,” he said, “but having a dedicated fire station increases our service profile and delivery in the area.

“We’ve done a lot of data analysis and this location will compliment other stations, so we get good coverage across the board.”

Chris Whiting said the case (for a fire station) had been very strong and “working closely with Keith King and Laurence (both from MHPA) made it unanswerable”.

“I’d like to thank the Minister (Mark Ryan) and Deputy Premier (Steven Miles) for going into bat for it. That was crucial,” Mr Whiting said.

“It’s a big commitment from the Palaszczuk Government. Getting the land around here for any project is the most important part.”

Feeling safer

Mr Christie said MHPA had been lobbying for a fire station in North Lakes since 2008. “In the original development control plan we recognised the lack of a fire station,” said Mr Christie.

“But through the advocacy of members of the association, particularly those who have had a fire beside them, we saw the need for it.

“In last three to four years it has been a gradual ramping up and government has seen the need.

“We look forward to having it and to the future when people feel safer. Ten minutes is a lot of time, it can save a house and save a life.”

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