Better access for Silver Spur Rural Fire Brigade

Access to the Silver Spur Rural Fire Brigade will soon be improved with the construction of a new crossover from the Rural Fire Service (RFS) property to Stanthorpe-Texas Road.

The works to be undertaken by Goondiwindi Regional Council will improve current access to the property, complementing a new shed that was added earlier in the year.

Mayor of the Goondiwindi region the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM said improving the accessibility of services and facilities for the region’s rural residents was a priority of Council’s 2020-21 Budget.

“As we know all too well from last year, the Rural Fire Service is the backbone of firefighting in regional areas such as ours,” Cr Springborg said. “Not only do our volunteers tackle active blazes during bushfire season, but they also carry out essential fire prevention work and community education throughout the year.

“Council is very proud to be able to support our local brigades with infrastructure upgrades where it can, especially in more rural areas such as Silver Spur.”

Superintendent Wayne Waltisbuhl is the RFS Regional Manager for the Southwest Region   Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. He said the RFS had recently been busy helping to fight crop fires, including four major burns in the Goondiwindi region.

“We have 29 brigades in the Goondiwindi Regional Council area – 24 of those are our primary producer brigades like at Silver Spur, who do a fantastic job,” Mr Waltisbuhl said. “The RFS has helped fight some big wheat fires recently, including unfortunately four fairly big burns in the Goondiwindi region, which has included getting the water bombers out to help tackle those flames from the air,” he said.

“All up, we have more than 500 volunteers who serve the Goondiwindi region as part of the Rural Fire Service – which I think is tremendous for a region of our size and I think I can speak for all when I say we are extremely grateful for everything they do.”

Cr Springborg said the best thing that residents can do to support local firies was to make sure they were prepared for the bushfire season each year.

“If you haven’t already, I strongly urge all residents to prepare their properties and ensure they have a survival plan and emergency kit in place,” he said. “Now is absolutely the time to be making sure your gutters are clear and cutting back any excess shrubs or overhanging branches.”

The $12,000 upgrade is planned as part of Council’s 2020-21 Operational Budget. The work is scheduled to take place over the Christmas break and take around two days to complete.