Sarina’s heritage fire truck is here to stay, with Mackay Regional Council confirming the vehicle will not be moved from its longtime home.
Concerns had been raised in the community following speculation on social media that the historic engine could be relocated as part of council’s regional museum project. However, at the most recent ordinary meeting of council, Mayor Greg Williamson set the record straight.
“There was never any intent to move the fire engine,” he said.
“The fire engine is clearly an asset of council, and that came via the heritage group in Sarina which disbanded and passed that asset on to the council. It’s always been the intent, including in the museum review, that the fire engine remains in Sarina.”
The mayor acknowledged that misinformation on social media had caused confusion, but stressed that council’s current focus was on improving access to the fire engine, which has been stored away for some time.
“What we intend to do is make it more accessible, because it’s been shut up for some time and we want to make a display of it,” he said.
Cr George Christensen raised the issue during the meeting after being approached by a Sarina local concerned about the truck’s future. While there were reports that the volunteer fire brigade had expressed interest in housing the truck, the mayor said no formal motion had been made to council.
Member for Mirani Glen Kelly had launched a petition to keep the historic fire engine in Sarina—only to discover the campaign wasn’t needed, with council confirming there was never any plan to move the truck.
Despite that, Mr Kelly said he would continue to push for Sarina’s heritage to be preserved and displayed locally.
“The original fire truck, local fire service memorabilia, and our famous Vegemite collection belong in our town—not locked away in storage,” he said.
“As I get around talking to Sarina locals, one thing is for sure—they are proud of our history, and they want to see it celebrated, not sidelined.”
Council is still working through the best way to display and maintain the heritage vehicle locally.
Sarina’s volunteer firefighters pictured with the town’s beloved heritage fire engine, which will remain proudly in the Sarina community. Photos supplied
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