The Andrews Labor Government will fund a state-of-the-art rebuild of the Epping ambulance station to give local paramedics the safe and modern facilities they need to save lives.
Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today joined Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio to announce $1.74 million to rebuild Epping ambulance station to give paramedics the facilities they need to quickly respond to local medical emergencies.
Epping is growing at a rapid rate, and we need to make sure we are investing now to meet the community’s healthcare needs of the future.
The current station on McDonalds Rd was built in 1991 and originally funded by the local community. However, the three teams of paramedics who currently respond to more than 500 call-outs each month have now outgrown the facility.
A new first-class station will be built on the existing site providing a five-bay ambulance garage, six bedrooms, rest and recline areas, training rooms, modern amenities and a fully fitted out kitchen.
This investment - part of a $27.3 million boost to rebuild and upgrade ambulance stations and purchase additional vehicles - will give local paramedics the modern and safer facilities they deserve, as well as the room they need to grow to meet the needs of our rapidly growing community here in Epping and Melbourne’s north.
In the 2016/17 Victorian Budget, the Labor Government invested $144 million to fix the ambulance system after four years of crisis and neglect under the former Liberal 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 are working side-by-side with our paramedics to rebuild our ambulance system after four years of crisis and neglect under the former Liberal Government.”
“We know we need to invest now to meet the needs of rapidly growing areas such as Epping – and we’re getting it done.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio
“The new Epping ambulance station will make a huge difference to our hardworking and dedicated paramedics, who have clearly outgrown their current home.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny
“We’re putting patients first and giving paramedics in Epping the support they deserve and need to do what they do best, which is saving lives.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020