A new electronic fire sign has been installed on Pound Road, Pomona following advocacy from Noosa MP Sandy Bolton.
When the nationally consistent Australian Fire Danger Rating System was introduced in late 2022, the old fire danger rating signs were removed, with the new electronic signs rolled out in places deemed to have the highest impact, which saw some communities miss out.
“As raised at the time, in an electorate such as Noosa with multiple rural communities, it is not sufficient to simply locate fire danger rating signs in high traffic flow areas such as Tewantin or Gympie and expect that this will somehow relate to residents or visitors in Pomona, Cooran and Kin Kin as examples,” said Ms Bolton.
Following Ms Bolton’s further advocacy with the previous Fire and Emergency Services Minister, work was undertaken to identify additional localities where these signs are needed, ensuring the highest overall benefit to the community.
With a new government after the 2024 state election, the Noosa MP wrote to the new minister requesting they confirm progress, with the response that the installation of the sign in Pomona was expected in 2025, which has now been delivered.
“This is appreciated by our residents, and we thank Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers Ann Leahy, Noosa resident Brian O’Connor who raised this issue with our office in 2023, and all of our rural, permanent and auxiliary firefighters for what you do to keep us safe,” said Ms Bolton.
Mr O’Connor thanked the Noosa MP for her advocacy as well as the state government for listening to the community’s pleas.
“With the annual bushfire season rapidly approaching, this new fire danger status sign on Pound Road incorporates new technology and is able to be updated in real time so that residents of Noosa’s northern hinterland can be better informed and can react appropriately in a natural disaster emergency,” he said.
Ms Bolton also encouraged all households to always be ready for any potential disasters, whether flood, fire or storms.
“With natural disasters a regular part of our life in Queensland, as well elsewhere, it is important for all to make ‘being ready’ a normal part of our households, by having Noosa Council’s Disaster Dashboard handy on our phones and laptops and follow the tips on the ‘Get Ready QLD’ website.”
“For anyone not online, please grab a Get Ready QLD emergency pack, which includes a fridge magnet with relevant emergency numbers, from Noosa Council at 9 Pelican St, Tewantin QLD 4565 or my office at Suite CB05, Noosa Civic, 28 Eenie Creek Rd, Noosaville QLD 4566,” Ms Bolton said.
Noosa Council’s Disaster Dashboard: disaster.noosa.qld.gov.au
Get Ready QLD’ website: getready.qld.gov.au
Queensland Fire Department Warnings and Incidents: fire.qld.gov.au/Current-Incidents
