Ambulance resources will be boosted across the Pyrenees Shire with construction on a new multi-million-dollar, fit-for-purpose ambulance station at Avoca now underway.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett today announced the start of works to deliver a bigger and better station for the town’s hardworking paramedics, ensuring they have the facilities they need to respond quickly to local emergencies and save lives.
Upon completion, the facility will boast a number of modern features including a three-bay drive through ambulance garage, two rest and recline areas for paramedics to recuperate, longer term accommodation, training facilities, a fully equipped kitchen and improved security and car parking to enhance paramedics safety.
The location of the new ambulance station on Rowe Street will see paramedics relocate from their current premises on Liebig Street – the site chosen to ensure ease of access to main roads and major sites, especially during Code One lights and sirens call outs.
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) and builder Bowden Corporation, construction is expected to be complete in the first half of 2024.
The new Avoca Station is part of the Andrews Labor Government’s ongoing support of Ambulance Victoria infrastructure, with $279 million invested since 2015 to deliver new ambulance stations – providing better working conditions for paramedics and ensuring lifesaving emergency care is available for all Victorians.
Since coming to Government, a total of more than $2 billion has been invested in ambulance services including growing the workforce and delivering on all election commitments made to Victorians. It includes funding in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to employ and train 40 new Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance employees.
The Labor Government is also delivering Australia’s first Paramedic Practitioners with a master’s course at Monash University from 2024, with at least 25 paramedic practitioners trained and on the road by 2026.
A new Centre for Paramedicine at Victoria University will also help establish the next generation of paramedics, providing advanced teaching methods – with a capacity to train around 1,500 paramedic students each year.
Quote attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett
“Avoca’s paramedics are the best of our community – that’s why the new Rowe Street station is an important upgrade to ensure they have fit-for-purpose, modern facilities to continue delivering the best emergency care.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Ambulance Services Gabrielle Williams
“The new Avoca Ambulance Station will provide paramedics with a modern and better located facility, meaning locals will receive world-class, lifesaving emergency care well into the future.”
“Our paramedics go above and beyond every day to care for people in what is often the worst of times – it is the least we can do to ensure these hardworking Victorians have a comfortable and safe place as their home base.”
