The Andrews Labor Government will build Mernda’s first ever ambulance station to meet growing demand for emergency care in one of the nation’s fastest growing communities.
Minister for Ambulance Services, Jill Hennessy, today joined Member for Yan Yean, Danielle Green, to announce the Government had secured a $1.5 million Growth Area Infrastructure Grant to buy land for a new ambulance station in Mernda.
The funding will pave the way for a new state-of-the-art station to be built, giving Ambulance Victoria the facilities they need to operate a dedicated Mernda ambulance crew. Mernda is currently served by crews in Epping, Whittlesea and Diamond Creek.
The station will be a purpose built, modern facility with an ambulance garage, training areas, rest and recline rooms, and fully-fitted kitchen.
It will mean paramedics will be able to respond sooner to medical emergencies in Mernda and beyond, meeting increasing demand from a booming population into the future.
The City of Whittlesea is one of the fastest growing communities in Australia, welcoming around 8000 new residents each year. By 2036, it is estimated that Mernda’s population will soar by about 68 per cent to 28,200 people.
The Government will now work with Ambulance Victoria to identify and secure the best possible site to build the new Mernda ambulance station.
In the Victorian Budget 2016/17 the Labor Government invested $144 million to rebuild the ambulance system after four years of crisis and neglect under the former Coalition Government.
This includes our $60 million ambulance Response Rescue Fund to provide faster responses and make sure our ambulances respond to the right patient, at the right time, with the right care.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Ambulance Services Jill Hennessy
“We know we need to invest now to meet the health care needs of the rapidly growing communities in Melbourne’s North such as Mernda – and we’re getting it done.”
“Work now gets underway to locate the best possible site to build Mernda’s first ambulance station.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green
“As one of the fastest growing in communities in Australia, Mernda needs and deserves its own ambulance station.”
“We are proud to be delivering the first ever ambulance branch in Mernda. It is another part of the Andrews Government’s investment in Mernda including the new police station, rail extension, new schools and much more.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020