Community’s thumbs up for fire assist Thieves find keys left

Selina Venier editor@thedailyjournal.ink

Labor’s Joel Richters was among Granite Belt locals on Friday February 10 to see more water storage tanks at the ready at Applethorpe Rural Fire Station, before fire season kicks in.

Two 22,500 litre tanks were installed at the station “with connections for filling of fire trucks and aerial fire fighting aircraft”, with the promise that they will potentially “store sufficient water for 16 aircraft refills”.

“This commitment to the Granite Belt is critical for the safety of both residents and fire fighters,” Mr Richters said. “The events of 2019 are still very much at the forefront of our minds ... (and) we all need to listen to the expert volunteers on the ground and we can do more.”

Promising upgrades in June last year, Mr Richters said he was following through on concerns raised by Applethorpe Rural Fire Brigade members “who expressed their concerns about the need to upgrade facilities at the station”.

“I’m very pleased to have been able to advocate for them to make this infrastructure improvement a reality,” he said.

Mr Richters further said that this follow-through “adds to the many commitments that the Palaszczuk Government has already delivered for the fire fighters here on the Downs”.

Applethorpe Rural Fire Brigade First Officer, Roni Bau said the community is “grateful”, adding that, “These additional tanks will be used by the water bombers to assist in fighting bushfires from the air.”

The Rural Fire Service has 67 brigades on the Southern Downs.

Selina Venier editor@thedailyjournal.ink

Following reports of more stolen property left with keys accessible, police are reminding residents and rural land holders to “lock it or lose it” in terms of leaving vehicles, houses and sheds.

“Thieves are entering properties and stealing vehicles,” a police statement read. “Reports received reveal that the majority have been parked with keys left in the vehicles and unlocked. No matter how far off a main road your property is, your vehicle, house or shed could still be targeted by opportunistic thieves.”

Police on the Darling Downs report that between 5pm on February 2 and 7am on February 4, unknown persons entered a house in Hall Street, Texas, stealing a Hikmicro Thermal Scope. The scope was later recovered. Anyone with information about this theft is asked to contact police and reference QP2300218459.

Between December 17 and January 14, unknown persons entered a rural property on the Stanthorpe Inglewood Road and reportedly removed two off-road dirt bikes. To disclose information on this theft, quote reference QP2300223307.

Between 6pm on February 10 and 10am on February 11, unknown persons entered a rural property on Bosnjaks Road, Glenarbon, in the Goondiwindi Region, stealing a Landcruiser utility that was later recovered in NSW.

Contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov. au/reporting or call 131 444.