Toorbul and surrounding communities will now have easier access to aeromedical rescue and retrieval care, thanks to the construction of a brand-new helipad.
It was a team effort between Toorbul Community and District Association (TCDA) president John Buckby, Moreton Bay Council and local Councillor Brooke Savige.
Construction company Fulton Hogan generously provided all materials, equipment and contractors free of charge.
“It is a story of determination to have a safe rescue capability constructed for a little country town by the sea,” Mr Buckby said.
“Our community will benefit from this for many generations to come.”
With the assistance of LifeFlight, a designated Helicopter Landing Site (HLS) was identified earlier this year and specialised construction finished in August 2023; just a few months after breaking ground.
The achievement will be celebrated with a helipad community launch day today (Thursday 7 December) at the Toorbul and DonnyBrook Seniors Club.
The helipad is in the Club car park.
An RACQ LifeFlight Rescue AW139 helicopter will christen the new helipad, with a landing this afternoon.
“The launch day is being supported by TCDA, the Toorbul Rural Fire Brigade and the Toorbul and Donnybrook Seniors Club, and the community in general. It is a wonderful achievement, and a serious rescue and retrieval mission has been conducted there already prior to the helipad construction,” Mr Buckby said.
“I personally feel very proud that the community will have the expertise of LifeFlight and other aeromedical services to help if needed. The communities have a large proportion of senior age residents and to have this capability is an amazing addition to the community and the Pumicestone Passage. I’m also very proud that this was achieved at no cost to the community. The launch day will be one of celebration.”
