Volunteer firefighters in Beerwah have raised concerns about a planned station relocation, questioning whether the new facility will adequately support their day-to-day operations.
The Beerwah and District Rural Fire Brigade is set to move in 2028 from its long-standing base at 175 Roys Road, Beerwah, to a new $10 million multi-service fire complex being built at 14 Creek Crescent, Beerwah.
The new complex will be built on an 8215sqm site and will include two purpose-built stations located side by side for Queensland Fire and Rescue (QFR) and Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ). Construction officially began last week, with a sod-turning ceremony marking the start of works.
Plans for the rural brigade station include five engine bays, office facilities and parking areas. The adjoining fire and rescue station will include three engine bays, a dedicated training room and a custom-designed road crash rescue pad to support specialised training exercises.
While the Queensland Fire Department (QFD) says the project will deliver modern infrastructure designed to strengthen emergency response capability in the rapidly growing region, some brigade members believe important operational needs remain unresolved.
A long-serving volunteer, who cannot be named, said members felt communication over the design process had slowed after they submitted detailed feedback. They were still awaiting clarification on several points when they learned a sod-turning ceremony had been scheduled.
“We put in our feedback and then heard nothing for months,” the volunteer said.
“Then all of a sudden there was an invitation to a sod turning for something we hadn’t agreed to.”
In a statement, a QFD spokesperson said the relocation would deliver upgraded infrastructure for both volunteers and career firefighters.
“The new site will offer a larger, more modern facility to support brigade members to train and respond effectively,” they said.
“Improved features include a larger training space which can also be utilised for incident management and other functions, increased storage capacity, dedicated parking spaces for volunteers and contemporary amenities.
“QFD has been liaising with volunteers on the building design since 2024 and has included their feedback in the design process. These adaptations have included adding an extra engine bay and enhanced safety facilities.
“Rural Fire Service Queensland remains committed to supporting its volunteers and will continue discussions to incorporate further feedback, where possible.
“The location of the new site has been carefully selected to ensure crews are able to respond quickly to incidents across Beerwah and the southern Sunshine Coast, meeting the needs of a growing community and ensuring emergency response into the future.”
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The brigade currently has about 50 members on its books, with roughly 35 active. The volunteer, who joined in 2020 after the Black Summer bushfires, said the current station at Roys Road was built by the community in 1990 and designed specifically around the brigade’s operational requirements. Funded through donations and supported by local trades and suppliers, it also houses memorabilia recognising past members.
“It’s our spiritual home, but it was also built for purpose,” the volunteer said.
“It works exactly for what we need.”
According to the volunteer, members were first told in 2024 that their lease on the Roys Road site would expire in 2028 and would not be renewed.
Despite QFD’s assurances that volunteer feedback has shaped the design of the new Creek Crescent facility, some members believe key issues remain. Among the concerns raised are a reduction in previously requested storage space, uncertainty about how many private vehicles could be accommodated during incidents and the lack of sufficient outdoor space for regular training.
The brigade currently conducts drills and simulations on its existing grounds. The volunteer said relocating to a site without comparable space would require crews to train elsewhere, adding time and logistical challenges.
“Training builds muscle memory. If we can’t train properly, we’re less effective on the fireground,” he said.
“If we have to go off-site and ask to use someone else’s oval, that cuts into our time and makes it harder.”
Questions have also been raised about appliance access and manoeuvrability, particularly if volunteer vehicles are parked on-site during call-outs.
“We don’t get paid. We do this for the community,” the volunteer said.
“All we’re asking for is a station that’s practical and fit for purpose.”
Members say they were repeatedly told the replacement facility would match or exceed their current station’s functionality.
“We were promised the new building would be the same or better than what we have,” the volunteer said.
“It’s not the same and it’s not better. It’s significantly worse in terms of how we operate.”
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said the current lease between council and QFD remained in place until 2028 and that negotiations had been underway about extending it.
“Council has been negotiating terms with QFD for a lease until 2033,” the spokesperson said.
“There has been no increase to the rent proposed and it remains at the peppercorn rate of $1.
“The current discussion around moving operations or location change is a matter between the Queensland Fire Department and the Rural Fire Brigade.”
Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton said the existing facility had “outgrown its use by date” and “this new purpose-built facility will service the needs of both organisations on the same site and be a wonderful addition to the community”.
