New Fire Danger Rating Sign Installed on Pound Road in Pomona

Pomona residents can now rely on a newly installed electronic fire danger rating sign on Pound Road, a significant step forward in local fire safety.

This development follows persistent advocacy by Noosa MP Sandy Bolton, who emphasized the necessity of such measures in the region's rural areas.

In late 2022, the introduction of the nationally consistent Australian Fire Danger Rating System led to the removal of outdated signs.

However, the initial rollout of new electronic signs prioritized high-traffic areas, leaving communities like Pomona without direct access to updated fire danger information.

Recognizing this gap, Ms. Bolton highlighted the importance of localized fire safety measures.

She stated, "In an electorate such as Noosa with multiple rural communities, it is not sufficient to simply locate fire danger rating signs in high traffic flow areas such as Tewantin or Gympie and expect that this will somehow relate to residents or visitors in Pomona, Cooran, and Kin Kin."

Through her continued efforts, the previous Fire and Emergency Services Minister initiated work to identify additional localities where these signs would provide the highest benefit to the community.

Following the 2024 state election, Ms. Bolton reached out to the new minister to confirm progress.

The response indicated that the installation of the sign in Pomona was expected in 2025, a promise that has now been fulfilled.

Ms. Bolton expressed her gratitude, saying, "This is appreciated by our residents, and we thank Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers Ann Leahy, Noosa resident Brian O’Connor who raised this issue with our office in 2023, and all of our rural, permanent, and auxiliary firefighters for what you do to keep us safe."

Brian O’Connor, a local resident who brought this issue to the forefront, also extended his thanks to Ms. Bolton and the state government for addressing the community's concerns.

He noted, "With the annual bushfire season rapidly approaching, this new fire danger status sign on Pound Road incorporates new technology and is able to be updated in real time so that residents of Noosa’s northern hinterland can be better informed and can react appropriately in a natural disaster emergency."

Ms. Bolton further encouraged all households to maintain readiness for potential disasters, whether they be floods, fires, or storms.

She advised residents to keep Noosa Council’s Disaster Dashboard accessible on their devices and to follow the tips on the 'Get Ready QLD' website.

For those not online, emergency packs, including a fridge magnet with relevant emergency numbers, are available at Noosa Council and Ms. Bolton's office.

In addition to the new fire danger rating sign, the community is invited to participate in a free Property Fire Management Planning Workshop on Saturday, August 30, 2025.

The workshop aims to equip residents with the knowledge and tools to create individualized fire management plans, enhancing preparedness for the upcoming fire season.

For more information and to register, residents can contact the Queensland Fire & Biodiversity Consortium.

These initiatives underscore the commitment to enhancing fire safety and preparedness in Noosa's hinterland communities.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed and proactive in safeguarding their properties and loved ones against potential fire hazards.