Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the urgent need for the Queensland Government to provide increased government support to rural fire brigades to provide sufficient equipment and resources to combat the predicated increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires resulting from climate change. Rural fire volunteers currently have only one firetruck to every thirty-seven members. Approximately only half of rural brigades have a firetruck and less than one third of brigades have a fire shed to store their equipment and to act as a base for brigade activities.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do everything within its power to ensure our rural fire brigade volunteers have the equipment and resources necessary to perform their firefighting duties and to remain safe while doing so. The recent wildfire crises on the Sunshine Coast and the Granite Belt reinforce the need for swift action on this matter.