Thanks to a private contribution valued at $50,000 and similar support from Origin Energy and Santos, Wallumbilla's rural firies will be able to access water-bombing support in bushfire emergencies in future.
The donations from the energy companies and Mike Taylor of Midwest Rural Traders at Wallumbilla have seen a 1.7km dirt airfield at Fairlands Station connected to water infrastructure and made operational for fire-fighting.
Mr Taylor, who is the second officer with the Wallumbilla Rural Fire Brigade and has been an active firie for a number of years, said they had used the strip for ag planes for a couple of years but not from a fire-fighting angle.
"We've had countless fires over the years, and our unit is very involved in road accident rescues, land searches and the like too - I thought something like this was definitely needed," he said. "It's a fair old haul by road back to Roma, especially if ambulances are involved."
The strip would be available for RFDS evacuations as well.
Mr Taylor said that used correctly, he believed aerial fire-bombing support was useful in getting on top of emergencies quickly.
"There have been very big fuel loads some years; this year is no exception - this is the biggest fuel load I've seen for years in this area."
READ MORE: Water bomber lands in Queensland
He said Santos had provided the gravel for all-weather road access and Origin had enabled the 5km water pipeline and quick-fill access points.
Maceon Cooper, Origin's general manager Reedy Creek, Combabula and Peat Asset, said the company had asked how it could support local volunteer emergency services in response to the bushfires of 2019.
"The Wallumbilla Combined Emergency Services Group identified the need for an airfield and infrastructure to help services access water to fight rural fires," he said. "Helping to fund the concept, development and ongoing maintenance of the 1.7km airstrip was something we were happy to help with."
Delivery of the airstrip, pipelines, cleaning pads and more was a partnership between local landholders, volunteers, members of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service, Maranoa Regional Council members, Royal Flying Doctor Service, MI Helicopters and Precision Aerial from Meandarra.
"Helping to fund the concept, development and ongoing maintenance of the airstrip was something we were happy to help with," Mr Cooper said.
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Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
