Premier Daniel Andrews, Parliamentary Secretary for Volunteers and Carers, Gabrielle Williams, and Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing, today joined local paramedics and other community members at Sale Ambulance Station to mark the impending rebuild.
The Andrews Labor Government is rebuilding Sale Ambulance Station as part of a $20 million investment to modernise and upgrade ambulance facilities across Victoria.
Sale Ambulance Station is more than 50 years old and too small to accommodate the service, lacking training space and adequate rest facilities. The station is also beset by occupational health and safety issues.
The Sale branch supports up to 28 paramedics including one 24 hour team, a peak period unit and a MICA Single Responder Unit.
The Labor Government has worked with Ambulance Victoria to identify branches across Victoria most in need of replacing, and will announce more ambulance stations which will receive upgrades in coming weeks.
The Government has already announced ten branches that will be upgraded, including Sale, Orbost, Traralgon and Echuca ambulance stations in regional Victoria.
All of these stations will be replaced with state-of-the-art branches that feature spacious and functional garages for vehicles, and modern facilities for paramedics, including lounge areas, a kitchen, training rooms and amenities.
The Andrews Labor Government has invested an extra $99 million in ambulance services in the 2015-16 Victorian Budget to deliver more ambulance services, upgrade ambulance branches and provide new and replacement vehicles and equipment. This extra funding will also provide increased support services for Victoria’s hardworking paramedics.
The Government has also removed red tape so that MICA paramedics can now use their skills wherever they’re located, including in non-MICA branches. This will mean better services and responses for Victorians, particularly in regional and rural areas.
Quotes attributable to the Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re upgrading Sale Ambulance Station so that it’s fit-for-purpose, safe, and comfortable for our hardworking paramedics.”
“Sale deserves a modern ambulance service with the best facilities, and that’s what we’re getting on with doing.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“Sale, Orbost and Traralgon Ambulance Stations are old and unsafe, and I’m delighted the Government is investing to upgrade these branches.”
“These upgrades mean our local paramedics will be able to better and more quickly respond to critical medical emergencies in Gippsland.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020