Bert Van Manen (Forde, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd like to take this opportunity to commend my local rural fire brigades—Cedar Creek Wolffdene Rural Fire Brigade, Ormeau Rural Fire Brigade, Chambers Flat Rural Fire Brigade and the Coomera Valley Rural Fire Brigade—who are working tirelessly to support the people not only in my electorate of Forde but across Queensland today. This morning, nearly 200 fires are burning across Queensland and, while conditions are easing, 105 of those fires continue to burn—some of them out of control. The Coomera Valley Rural Fire Brigade has been fighting fires for the past week and a half, deploying crews and task forces across South-East Queensland and even responding to fires yesterday in my own electorate: one on Elevation Drive in Wongawallan and another just next door in Oxenford. The Ormeau Rural Fire Brigade also responded this morning to a fire in Yatala while also deploying teams across Queensland.

On days such as these we rely on hardworking, community focused organisations like our rural fire brigades. I'd like to highlight to the House the great work and achievements of all the brigades I've mentioned and pay tribute to all who have contributed during this statewide emergency. I'd like to thank again the hundreds of volunteers and firefighters on the ground today who are keeping our communities, our homes and, most importantly, our loved ones safe. They fill all of us with great confidence in preparedness for this year's fire season.