Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the historic Teewah Airfield has existed for 79 years, is located in the Noosa North Shore between Lake Cootharaba and the coast, and that in bush fire, cyclone and flood emergencies provides: 

a) a substantial fire break, 

b) a safe, secure and protected area for people, native animals and native birds to congregate, 

c) an evacuation centre with all facilities, for overnight accommodation, 

d) facilities and an area for emergency services to operate from in comfort and safety, 

e) a landing area for helicopters for emergencies and evacuations, 

f) a staging area for emergency services including patient care and firefighting via helicopters. 

It is the intention of the Department of the Environment to replace the airfield and its protected areas with highly flammable bush and scrub and to remove all emergency support facilities. 

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to call upon the Minister for the Environment and Tourism, the Hon Andrew Powell MP to exercise his powers to allow the Teewah Airfield to remain in its current configuration and allow for emergency services and their contractors including helicopters to undertake training, and for recreational sports aviation clubs to remain.