The Andrews Labor Government is boosting ambulance resources in Rochester to make sure paramedics have the facilities and support they need to quickly respond to local emergencies.
Minister for Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas today announced construction is underway on a new multi-million-dollar Rochester Ambulance Branch on Mackay Street, giving locals critical care close to home.
The improved Rochester Ambulance Station will feature a three-bay garage for ambulances, two rest and recline areas for hard-working paramedics to recuperate, a fully equipped kitchen and improved security and car parking.
The project involves knocking down the existing and outdated ambulance station on Mackay Street and replacing it with a new station.
The station is set to be complete by mid-2023 with demolition works now finished. Rochester is one of 14 new or refurbished stations with construction works getting underway across the state. The project is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) in partnership with builder Bowden Corporation.
The Labor Government has invested approximately $249 million since 2015 to upgrade and rebuild ambulance stations, to provide better working conditions for paramedics and ensure lifesaving emergency care is available for all Victorians.
The new Rochester Ambulance Station forms part of the Government’s continued investment in Ambulance Victoria, bolstered by an additional $124 million in the Victorian Budget 2022/23 to employ more paramedics, buy new vehicles and get more Victorians the care they need.
Ambulance Victoria recruited 700 paramedics in 2021 - its single largest annual recruitment ever - to help respond to increasing demand.
The Government has expanded the paramedic workforce by more than 56 per cent since 2014 – an increase of more than 2,000 paramedics.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas
“We are making sure paramedics in Rochester have the facilities that support them to do what they do best – save lives.”
“This project is delivering a modern and advanced ambulance station that will enable hard-working paramedics to provide the best lifesaving emergency care, now and into the future.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
“All Victorians deserve access to the best possible emergency care and this initiative will ensure people in Rochester and surrounding areas can receive exactly that – critical care, close to home.”
Reviewed 12 August 2022