Community & Business
24 June, 2023
New Topaz fire brigade a step closer
A group of dedicated locals in the Topaz area are a step closer to establishing a new rural fire brigade for the town to provide the community with a quicker response to emergencies.
A group of dedicated locals in the Topaz area are a step closer to establishing a new rural fire brigade for the town to provide the community with a quicker response to emergencies.
The project is gathering momentum, with traditional owners of the land gifting a piece of land which will be used to build a facility to host the new fire brigade
Topaz Rural Fire Brigade founding member Shane Teahan said he had been working on establishing the organisation for about 12 months and was excited to see things moving along.
“We are really lacking in resources and State and local assets out here,” he said.
“We have done the research and it takes 30 to 35 minutes for any sort of emergency response to arrive in regards to a fire or anything of that nature out here.
“To have some sort of emergency response asset on the ground out here would make a world of difference to the local community.
“We have had an influx of young families in this area so this is sorely needed and it will also add to the regional response – if there’s another truck to go and help at a fire somewhere in the region, well that’s a good thing.”
Mr Teahan said around 20 volunteers had already put up their hand to be part of the new brigade which he hoped would be backed by the Queensland Rural Fire Service.
Once the group receives formal support from the service, it will be able to apply for funding under State Government grant programs.
“We hope to build a shed on the land we have been given and we hope we will get a direct commitment for that from the State as well,” Mr Teahan said.
He said to get to where they are now it has been a great journey of resilience and a strong community.
“This piece of land is owned by the Ngadjon tribe and they have shown extraordinary generosity in the fact that they would like to gift this piece of land for the purpose of establishing the Topaz Rural Fire Brigade,” Mr Teahan said.
Ngadjon traditional owner Yvonne Canendo said her tribe had discussed the need to help the people of Topaz. “We are a long way from town and for the fire truck to get here from Malanda, and by the time they get out here , you are lucky to have a house or a family left,” she said.
“We definitely need one out here and when I was cleaning this area up, I thought this would be a great area and everyone agreed on it.
“Having a rural fire brigade out here is just the start and it would be a big help.”
Mr Tehan said this was a great example of everyone working together to achieve quality community outcomes.
The project has gained the full support for Member for Hill Shane Knuth who says Topaz is “often a community that is forgotten” which can only be accessed in an emergency via a narrow windy road from Malanda.
“By establishing the Topaz Rural Fire Brigade trained volunteers will be on the ground in the quickest fastest and safest time until further assistance arrives,” he said.
“This means when someone has a heart attack, or a fire breaks out on a property the Topaz volunteers will be on the ground ready to assist until emergency services arrive which could mean the different between life and death.”
Tableland Regional Councillor Dave Bilney was also extremely supportive of the move.
“The communities in the outlying areas of the Tablelands are about community empowerment and about being able to look after themselves,” he said.
“By having a fire station based here with community volunteers always there, they will be able to protect each other a lot quicker than relying on the closest main area which is Malanda.
“The Mayor and I have already provided a letter of support for the project, and it is very hard to state that no one would support this.”
According to Mr Teahan, the support from the community has been wonderful. “I am so excited to see the energy and enthusiasm that I am seeing,” he said.
