Cr Column Councillor Callan Oar

With Minister Ann Leahy visiting the Burdekin this week to officially open our new water treatment plant, I welcome her to the district and thank her for taking the time to visit.

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While the Minister is here, I would also like to again highlight the case for our new Ayr Fire Station to become a permanently staffed 24-hour station.

In 2024, Dale Last raised concerns in Parliament that across 318 callouts, a full crew of four auxiliary firefighters was available just once, while on 79 occasions no auxiliaries were available at all.

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The Mayor and I recently met with the Queensland Fire Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Dale Last, representatives from Minister Leahy's office and fire service representatives to discuss the issue.

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I welcome the investment in a new Ayr Fire Station and appreciate there are competing priorities across Queensland. However, with the challenges surrounding auxiliary availability and after hours response, I strongly believe the caseexists for permanent 24-hour coverage in Ayr.

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If we are building a station to serve our community for decades, I hope the opportunity to provide 24 hour staffing can be reconsidered.

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I also want to clear up some misinformation circulating about Groper Creek Caravan Park. Council is not closing the park. The Home Hill Boat Club, which operates the park, has resolved to cease operating it from 1 January 2027 due to its own circumstances.

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Council has been working constructively with the Club on compliance matters and remains willing to assist. The decision to cease operating the caravan park is the Club's, not Council's.

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